THURSDAY 1ST OCTOBER 2020

FEC Proposes N13.08tn Spending Estimates for 2021 Targets N7.9tn revenue, 1.86m bpd oil output, N4.48tn deficit Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja The Federal Executive Council (FEC) yesterday proposed a N13.08 trillion budget for 2021 fiscal year ahead of its presentation to the National

Assembly next week by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Briefing reporters after the weekly virtual FEC meeting in the State House, the Minister of Finance, Budget

and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, said the budget estimate comprises a capital expenditure of 29 per cent of the total budget.

The minister, who did not disclose the capital and

recurrent budget figures, explained that the 29 per cent capital budget projection in the budget is higher than the 24 per cent projection in 2020 budget, but lower than the initial target of 30 per cent.

The minister has also predicted that the Nigerian economy would recover in early 2021.

According to her, the budget proposal is predicated on $379 exchange rate, oil benchmark

of $40 barrel per day, oil production volume of 1.86 million barrels per day (bpd), including 400,000 barrels per day of condensates, Gross Continued on page 79

FG Pays N1.5tn as Electricity Subsidy in Four Years... Page 78 Thursday 1 October, 2020 Vol 25. No 9306. Price: N250

www.thisdaylive.com TR

UT H

& RE A S O

N

Queen Elizabeth, Abdulsalami, Jonathan, Lawan, Govs Salute Nigerians at 60 OPS, others outline strategies for Nigeria’s economic recovery Buhari addresses nation today Omololu Ogunmade, Chuks Okocha, Kingsley Nwezeh, Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja, Raheem Akingbolu, Dike Onwuamaeze and Chris Uba in Lagos The Queen of England, Elizabeth II; former President Goodluck Jonathan; ex-

military Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd); President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan; and the governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), yesterday congratulated Nigerians on today’s occasion of the country’s 60th independence

anniversary.

President Muhammadu Buhari will signal the low key nature of the celebrations with a broadcast this morning, a shift from the elaborate programme earlier schedule to hold at the Eagle Square in Abuja.

A statement by Special

Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said the queen's message to President Muhammadu Buhari was conveyed by the British High Commission in Nigeria.

He quoted the queen as saying: “It gives me great pleasure to offer my warmest

congratulations on the 60th anniversary of Nigeria’s independence, together with my best wishes for your country’s continued happiness and prosperity.

“The United Kingdom and Nigeria benefit from strong and enduring ties as Commonwealth partners

THISDAY ARISE Group Celebrates Nigeria @60 Today Alike Ejiofor THISDAY ARISE Group will today host a six-hour global virtual commemoration to mark Nigeria’s 60th independence anniversary.

The event billed to feature renowned world leaders, who have been scheduled to give speeches as well as performances from global musical acts and fashion icons, is to commence from 5p.m. GMT to 11p.m.

According to a schedule of events released by the management of THISDAY ARISE Group, “The event will include music from leading performers, fashion from top designers, speeches from icons,

statesmen, global leaders as well as business and thought leaders, and an evening of fun, stories, art, and all that.

“It will be a virtual event produced and broadcast from Lagos, Abuja, and London, but staged in various cities around the world and streamed to a global audience on ARISE Play, ARISE NEWS CHANNEL, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter amongst other media channels.”

With the welcome address to be delivered by the Chairman, THISDAY ARISE Group, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, the event, which will be anchored by the duo of Ojy Okpe and Charles Aniagolu, and powered by

Access Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, Zenith Bank and Bet9ja, amongst other concerns, will, however, play virtual host to a legion of local and global figures.

Those already listed for the epoch-making events are President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Chief Yakubu Gowon, Mr. Boss Mustapha, Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka, Ahmed Joda, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chief Emeka Anyaoku and Chief Ayo Adebanjo.

Others are the Sultan of Sokoto, Mohammed Continued on page 79

Wizkid

Davido

Burna Boy

Tiwa Savage

through shared history and most importantly, our people.

These are bonds that I hope and believe will flourish long into the future.”

In his goodwill message, Jonathan told Nigerians not to lose hope in their nation even Continued on page 79

2

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 •T H I S D AY

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 • T H I S D AY

3

4

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 •T H I S D AY

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 • T H I S D AY

5

6

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 •T H I S D AY

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 • T H I S D AY

7

8

THURSDAY, ͹˜ ͺ͸ͺ͸ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Group News Editor Ejiofor Alike Email Ejiofor.Alike@thisdaylive.com, 08066066268

Adebanjo: Nigeria Must Restructure to Regain Lost Glory

Emma Okonji and Nosa Alekhuogie An elder statesman and chieftain of the Pan Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, has declared that after 60 years of independence, Nigeria has lost her past glory, insisting that only restructuring will

restore the country’s path to greatness.

Speaking yesterday on the ‘Morning Show,’ a programme of ARISE NEWS Channel, the broadcast arm of THISDAY, Adebanjo also argued that Nigerians should mourn, rather than celebrate 60 years of independence that has nothing good to show

A’Court Nullifies IG’s Recruitment of 10,000 Constables Alex Enumah in Abuja The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal yesterday set aside a judgment which validated the powers of the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu, to recruit the rank of constables for the Nigeria Police Force.

The appellate court in a unanimous decision held that the IG lacked the power to recruit constables for the police force and consequently nullified the said recruitment.

The Police Service Commission (PSC) had approached the appellate court to challenge last year's recruitment of 10,000 constables by Adamu.

However, delivering judgment in the appeal, a three-man panel of the appellate court led by Justice Olabisi Ige held that the power to carry out the recruitment was exclusively that of the Police Service Commission.

According to the appellate court, the word “appointment” used in the Constitution with respect to the powers conferred on the Police Service Commission included “the power of recruitment and or enlistment of recruit constables.”

Justice Ige stated that the police regulation and or provisions of the Police Act, which purportedly vested the IG the power of recruiting constables “are null and void being in conflict with the constitutional powers vested in the Police Service Commission.”

He, therefore, declared the recruitment carried out by the IG as null and void.

The appellate court subsequently granted all the prayers sought by the

PSC in its amended suit filed at the Federal High Court.

The commission had in September 2019, instituted the suit marked FHC/ABJ/ CS/1124/2019 to stop the IG's recruitment process which the NPF and the IG, had as of that time, almost concluded.

Claiming exclusive rights to recruitment of constables the PSC had prayed the lower court to nullify the process already commenced by the NPF and the IG. But the lower court in its judgment delivered on December 2, 2019, by Justice Inyang Ekwo, dismissed the suit for lacking in merit.

He held that the law guiding the enlistment of constables into the NPF was the Nigeria Police Regulations of 1968, issued by the Nigerian president in accordance with the provisions of Section 46 of the Police Act 1967 (No 41), providing for the organisation and administration of the police force.

The judge further stated that Section 71 of the said Nigeria Police Service Regulations, 1968, gave the power to enlist constables to the Police Council and the NPF under the control of the IG, and not the PSC. He ruled that PSC by its enabling law retained the exclusive powers to promote, demote, dismiss and discipline any police officer apart from the IG, adding that the commission could only appoint constables after the recruitment exercise carried out by the NPF. Not satisfied, the appellant through their lawyer, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), approached the Court of Appeal to set aside the lower court's judgment.

for it.

“Attaining 60 years of independence is a milestone that ought to be celebrated, but we as a nation have no good reason to celebrate because it has been 60 years of pain, suffering and of late, Fulani colonialism, where Nigerians are massacred and brutalised by Fulani herdsmen, Boko Haram sect and other terrorists groups in the country,” he said.

The foremost nationalist blamed President Muhammadu Buhari for the current challenges of Nigeria, accusing him of turning blind eyes to the many killings of Nigerians by the Fulani herdsmen.

He said: “Our founding fathers like Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, Sir Ahmadu Bello, among others, fought for unity and true federalism of our nation Nigeria. They built institutions and left legacies, but all of that have crumbled and we are more divided under the present leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari. We should be mourning for this great nation Nigeria, having lost our past glory.

“For those of us who

fought for Independence of this nation Nigeria, we should be mourning because we have lost the unity of purpose that our founding fathers put in place for us. We should mourn because our security system has collapsed and the Commander-in-Chief, who is the chief security officer of the country, is not doing enough to protect the lives and property of innocent citizens of our country.

We should mourn because our collective economy has gone down the drain and our currency is becoming weaker by the day. We should mourn because our youths have no jobs and unemployment rate is on the increase.

“We should mourn because Nigerians are massacred and those involved in the killings are not prosecuted and our government is settling terrorists with money instead of arresting and persecuting them for various offences committed.

“We should mourn because our health system has collapsed, our national airline has collapsed and our roads are in a deplorable state. We should mourn because there is so much corruption in Buhari’s

government and his corrupt ministers are not tried and persecuted. We need God Almighty to change the mind of President Buhari to restructure Nigeria and reposition it on the path of success again.”

The Afenifere leader said Nigerians had become frustrated and divided because of poor governance, insisting that Buhari’s government has further divided the country by skewing appointments to favour the North and North –east.

According to him, only restructuring will bring back Nigeria on its right path.

He, however, said the first military coup in the 1960s did not help matters as its effects have continued to hunt the unity of Nigeria.

Adebanjo declared that instead of correcting the ills of the coup, successive governments kept blaming the woes of the country on the past leaders.

He acknowledged that the country was in a bad shape when President Buhari came into power, but added that instead of fixing the challenges of the country, Buhari kept heaping the blames on his predecessor.

According to him, Buhari has nothing to show, saying that the president has succeeded in dividing Nigerians more than he met them.

He further said Nigerian citizens would have been able to turn the bad situation for the better, but that the Buhari’s government does not give room for freedom of speech.

Adebanjo said the federal government came up with ‘Hate Speech’ law, which prohibits anyone from criticising his government.

“The majority of Nigerians are suffering and cannot put food on their table, cannot send their children to good schools, and cannot pay their bills, yet we are a nation of 60 years of Independence. It is a shame and it is worth mourning for,” Adebanjo said.

According to him, Buhari came with lots of promises during his political campaign but has failed in all his promises.

He also accused the president of deliberately refusing to restructure the country because of his hidden agenda to islamise the country.

Adebanjo urged all Nigerians to resist the Islamisation agenda.

IN SOLIDARITY… L-R: Governors Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Babagana Zulum (Borno) and Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) during the visit of delegation of Nigeria Governors’ Forum to the Borno State governor in Maiduguri…yesterday

Osinbajo Committed to Indivisibility of Nigeria, Says Mustapha Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, has declared that he and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo are very firmly and irrevocably committed to the ideal of one and indivisible Nigerian

nation.

In a statement he issued yesterday, Mustapha frowned at the sensational slant accorded the remarks

by Osinbajo last Sunday during the special interdenominational service at the National Ecumenical Centre to commemorate the country's

60th independence anniversary.

The SGF, who stood in for Osinbajo at the Sunday’s occasion, also lauded President Muhammadu Buhari's consistent efforts to strengthen the unity of the country.

He argued that any suggestion that Osinbajo is not committed to the ideal of

the indivisibility of the country is a manifest misrepresentation of their common position as a government.

In his message titled Together ''... Come, Let Us Rebuild...'', Osinbajo had on Sunday used the story of Nehemiah in the Bible to support his remarks, urging

Christians to be prepared to contribute their quota to national development.

He also spoke about cracks on the wall of the country, which though was yet unbroken, could lead to a break if not properly addressed. ''We might wonder, what

is the significance of a wall to the lives of a people? But if we appreciate that in those days, a wall around a city signified security, prosperity, peace and contentment we would understand that the wall signified the essence of a nation-state,'' Osinbajo reportedly said.

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 • T H I S D AY

9

10

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 •T H I S D AY

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 • T H I S D AY

11

12

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 •T H I S D AY

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 • T H I S D AY

13

14

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍŻËœ 2020

COMMENT

Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com

SHARING OCTOBER 1ST IN CELEBRATIONS Celebrating October 1st together constitutes a unique bond between China and Nigeria, writes Zhao Yong

A

s October 1st is fast approaching, our joy is shared and happiness doubled, be it in Nigeria or in China.

On October 1st 1949, the People’s Republic of China was founded. On October 1st 1960, Nigeria gained its independence.

Since the New China was founded 71 years ago, the Chinese people, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), have found a development path in line with the country’s national realities and achieved remarkable progress.

Following this path, China has achieved leapfrog development and seen continued rise of its comprehensive national strength.

Once an impoverished country, China has grown into the world’s second largest economy. Once a shortage economy, China has developed into a manufacturing giant, the only country in the world equipped with a complete range of industries.

In the past 71 years, per capita income in China increased more than 25 times; more than 850 million Chinese people were lifted out of poverty, contributing over 70 percent to global poverty reduction; average life expectancy more than doubled from 35 to 77 years; over 30 percent of global GDP growth was contributed

by China for more than 10 consecutive years. Even in this year, coming to the second quarter, China’s GDP returned to positive territory. It rose by 3.2%. The fact that China has become the first major economy to resume growth since the pandemic outbreak, highlights the resilience and vitality of the Chinese economy.

Led by the CPC, the Chinese people are on course to complete the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects and win a decisive victory against poverty this year. This means that China will eliminate absolute poverty for the first time in its history and meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals on poverty 10 years ahead of schedule.

That said, we are soberly aware that China remains the world’s biggest developing country and is still at the primary stage of socialism. While China’s economic aggregate is big, when divided by 1.4 billion, it lags behind many countries. China’s per capita GDP has yet to reach the world average. For China, enabling all 1.4 billion people to live a comfortable life is still going to be a long-term tough job.

2020 is definitely a year hard to forget in world history.

COVID-19, which broke out at the beginning of this year has become the most serious public health crisis since the end of World War II. It has delivered a ruthless blow to the international community and posed unprecedented challenges to mankind.

Since the outbreak, the Chinese people, under the leadership of the CPC, adopted the most comprehensive, rigorous and thorough prevention and control measures and secured major strategic achievements in the nation-wide fight against the virus. Up to date, the Chinese mainland has not seen any newly-confirmed local case for over 30 days.

China is by no means alone in her fight against this pandemic.

The people of China and Nigeria have been helping and supporting each other, and pulling together in times of difficulties. We have shown rock-steady brotherhood and magnificent unity.

China shall always remember the invaluable support Nigeria gave us at the height of our battle against COVID-19. By sending heartwarming sympathies and good wishes, the government and good people of Nigeria have firmly stood by us ever since the outbreak of the pandemic. As President Buhari noted in his statement of solidarity as early as February 2, “China’s efforts to contain the spread of the COVID-19 have been exemplary, as well as the country’s collaboration with international agencies and other countries on the matter�, adding: “With all the efforts being put in, we know that it is only a matter of time before this epidemic

CHINA HAS ACHIEVED LEAPFROG DEVELOPMENT AND SEEN CONTINUED RISE OF ITS COMPREHENSIVE NATIONAL STRENGTH. ONCE AN IMPOVERISHED COUNTRY, CHINA HAS GROWN INTO THE WORLD’S SECOND LARGEST ECONOMY

passes�. At the Extraordinary China-Africa Summit on Solidarity against COVID-19 held in last June, President Buhari said, “I wish to acknowledge the support of the Chinese government for the considerable assistance extended to Africa and, in particular to Nigeria�. Moreover, at the most demanding stage of its outbreak in China, many Nigerian brothers and sisters chose to stay put in Wuhan or other parts of China and did a good part in the battle against the outbreak with great understanding, solidarity and cooperation.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in Nigeria, China stood firmly with our dear friend. Two batches of medical supplies from Chinese Government were donated to Nigerian Government while a third batch has already arrived and is going to be delivered soon. We shared several versions of Chinese diagnostic and therapeutic solutions with the Nigerian Ministry of Health and NCDC. Nigerian Health Minister Dr. Osagie Ehanire attended a serial of virtual meetings on experience sharing between Chinese and African experts. Many local Chinese communities have made donations to Nigerian government and people in various forms.

All these have strengthened and upgraded the friendship and mutual trust between the two countries.

Currently, the development and application of vaccines commanded the international attention. As President Xi Jinping announced at the 73rd World Health Assembly in last May that COVID-19 vaccine, when developed and deployed in China and available, will be made a global public good and shared with other countries. He further promised at the Extraordinary China-Africa Summit on Solidarity against COVID-19 that African countries will be among the first to benefit. At the general debate of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly held this month, President Xi reaffirmed that several COVID-19 vaccines developed by China are in Phase III clinical trials. When their development is completed and they are available for use, these vaccines will be provided to other developing countries on a priority basis.

Major changes unseen in a century are taking place in our world. Mankind has entered a new era of interconnectedness, with countries sharing intertwined interests and their future closely linked together. Global threats and global challenges require strong, global responses. Especially in the post-COVID era, as President Xi pointed out at the High-level Meeting to Commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations, unilateralism is a dead end. All need to follow the approach of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits.

All need to come together to uphold universal security, share the fruits of development, and jointly decide on the future of the world. China will continue to be a true follower of multilateralism. It will stay actively engaged in reforming and developing the global governance system and firmly uphold the international order underpinned by international law.

Celebrating October 1st together constitutes a unique bond between China and Nigeria. We wish to congratulate our Nigerian brothers and sisters on the 60th anniversary of independence, and feel pleased to see that great development achievements have been made by Nigerian people in the past 60 years. As the largest developing country in the world, China would like to join hands with Nigeria, the largest developing country in Africa to further promote the bilateral relations, as next February will mark the 50th anniversary of China-Nigeria diplomatic relations. r.S :POH JT UIF $IBSHĂŠ E "GGBJSFT PG UIF &NCBTTZ PG $IJOB JO /JHFSJB

NIGERIA AND THE CLASS OF ‘60

Olusegun Adeniyi argues that while Nigeria may not be doing well as a country, individuals are doing exceedingly well r$POUJOVFE GSPN UIF #BDL 1BHF

P

resident Ali Bongo who suffered a stroke in Saudi Arabia in October 2018 has been out of circulation since then, leaving the administration of Gabon in the hands of varied vested interests.

Having first come to power through a coup detat in 1975, Didier Ignace Ratsiraka was President of Madagascar for 18 years until he lost out in 1993. He came back four years later in 1997 before again losing out in 2002. Despite its unique biodiversity of wildlife hardly found anywhere else in the world, the GDP per capita is $527.50 and is ranked 162 among 189 countries in HDI. With nearly half of the country’s children under five years of age malnourished, Madagascar is regarded as one of the world’s poorest countries with the majority of citizens living on less than a dollar per day.

Ranked at 184th out of 189 countries in the HDI, Mali has a GDP per capita of $899.66 that makes her a very poor country. But Mali also lacks security. Just about five weeks ago, both its president and prime minister were arrested by the military following a mutiny spurred by public protests over a worsening economic and national security situation. The following day, the duo resigned at gunpoint and the military now hold sway and call the shots. An ongoing insurgency continues, with a never-ending civil war and continuous civil unrest. That in a nutshell sums up the story of Mali in the past 60 years.

Like most other African countries, the history of Mauritania has been characterized by military coups, the most recent of which took place in 2008. Despite an abundance of natural resources, Mauritania remains poor with a GDP per capita of $1188.83 and is ranked161 among

189 countries in the HDI. Meanwhile, with a GDP per capita of $1,521.95 and ranked 166th among 189 countries, Senegal cannot be said to be doing well even though it is one of the most politically stable countries in Africa. With a tumultuous history of military coups before it stabilized under a multiparty democracy, the same goes for Benin Republic where the GDP per capita is $901.54 and is ranked at number 163 in HDI. The foregoing captures the state of affairs in the 16 African countries that gained independence in 1960 along with Nigeria. So, it is easy to conclude that none of our classmates can be described as doing well. But we can also invent excuses for them. Almost all have experienced a similar history of colonial subjugation, military incursions, weak institutions, rise of powerful men, security challenges, including insurgency and civil wars, etc.

However, before we conclude, it is important to look at the last of the nations in the class of 1960—the only one outside the continent: The Republic of Cyprus, an Eastern Mediterranean island country. Instructively, Cyprus and Nigeria share the same 1st October Independence Day and the country is also marking its 60th anniversary today. Like Nigeria, it has faced wars, military coups and all manner of disruptions, instigated from within and without. But unlike Nigeria, Cyprus has done relatively well for itself. The GDP per capita in Cyprus is $30,800. That of Nigeria is $2,250.

Nigeria ranks 158th out of 189 countries in HDI, Cyprus is on number 31. In almost all the indicators I have looked at, Cyprus has fared far much better than Nigeria.

What this suggests is that the year 1960 is not culpable for jinxing any nation. In our own case, the real paradox is that while Nigeria may not be doing well as a country, many Nigerians

are doing well as individuals—both at home and in the Diaspora. There is hardly any compilation of the Global 100 in any sphere of human endeavour that will not include at least one Nigerian. For instance, of the five Africans listed in TIME Magazine’s 100 ‘Most Influential Persons in the World’ for 2020, three are Nigerian professionals (a writer, an entrepreneur and a medical doctor). That has been the consistent pattern no matter the metric used and regardless of the field profiled. Giannis Sina Ugo Antetokounmpo, who has been breaking all manner of records in the United States, recently joined a tiny elite of two-time National Basketball Association (NBA) Most Valuable Players. Although born in Greece, his parents (Charles and Veronica Adetokunbo) are of Nigerian heritage. Anthony Oluwafemi Olaseni Joshua is a two-time unified boxing heavyweight champion. Yes, he is British but he has also never denied his Nigerian roots. In fact, he remains proud of it.

So, either in the field of sports or in the intellectual world, Nigerians are there. Yet, this has not reflected in our country’s development.

Of course we can open a debate as to why and how we have fared so dismally as a nation despite enormous potential. The elephant in the room is leadership at practically all levels and in all spheres, but that is not even my point today. I am more concerned about what has become the defining ethos of our togetherness. Despite being blessed with abundant human and material resources, we have failed to aggregate the parts into the collective whole. With no communal sense to building a functioning society, the ‘whole’ of our country remains far much less than the sum of its parts, essentially because the accumulation of individual greed far outweighs the collective need. How we redress that is the

urgent task before the current generation of leaders.

At the interdenominational church service to commemorate Nigeria’s 60th Independence anniversary on Sunday, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, took his message from the Biblical Book of Nehemiah which he said should be a metaphor for the challenge of nation-building. He added: “Fortunately for us, our walls are not yet broken, but there are apparent cracks that could lead to a break if not adequately addressed.� That has deliberately been misinterpreted by some sectional titans who consider themselves more Nigerian than others and are now issuing meaningless threats.

However, the aspect of that Biblical story Osinbajo left out is Ezra’s charge to the people who were weeping for their failings after hearing him read from the Book of the Law of Moses: “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.�

Notwithstanding misgivings over the 1914 amalgamation for those who still refuse to come to terms with that or the distortions to our federal structure caused by years of military rule or the disappointment we may have with the current crop of leaders and the choices they make, it is also appropriate to remind ourselves that we have come a long way as a nation. Not even the most implacable enemies of Nigeria will deny its socio-economic potential, the enormous capacity of its people and the bright future that still beckons if only we can look beyond artificial differences and rally our diversity as the real source of our strength.

I wish our beloved country happy 60th independence anniversary.

15

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍŻËœ 2020

EDITORIAL NIGERIA AT 60 Government must do more for the security and welfare of the people

A

mid a slew of security and economic challenges, Nigeria today marks its 60th independence anniversary. Ordinarily, it should be a day to reflect on the achievements of the past 60 years and celebrate. But there is a national sense of foreboding. Last week, at a brief ceremony in Aso Villa, President Muhammadu Buhari unveiled a year-long celebration with a fitting theme “Together We Shall Be.� Even though the president said the celebrations will be somber due to the global Covid-19 pandemic, not a few Nigerians saw that as a convenient excuse.

The more plausible reason: Nigeria, as it turns 60, is a nation with lumps of exasperation in its throat.

Perhaps, the biggest problem currently afflicting the country is pervasive insecurity. For more than a decade, the country has been locked in a brutal war with Boko Haram and terror affiliates. Attempts to contain the insurgency has THE COUNTRY’S PRECIOUS gobbled up a ASSETS ARE ITS PEOPLE large chunk WHO ARE EVERYWHERE of the national SPARKLING LIKE DIAMONDS budgets. At the last count, IN THE PACK, WHETHER it has claimed IN ACADEMIA, BUSINESS, more than INNOVATION, MUSIC, MOVIE, 40,000 lives and ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE created a huge humanitarian crisis that has left millions of our nationals displaced. Despite all claims to the contrary, the Islamic radicals are getting more emboldened. On the eve of this anniversary, some 30 security men and civilian officials of Borno State government were killed after an ambush by the insurgents, the second in a week.

To worsen matters, the economy has been in doldrums for decades, occasioned by lamentably slow growth and persistent high unemployment.

This has brought hardship on a scale unimaginable.

The widespread economic suffering can be measured easily: the once wealthy country has become a basket case, harbouring more than 100 million people living below the poverty line, and unable to

Letters to the Editor

T H I S DAY EDITOR

DEPUTY EDITOR

˜

˜ MANAGING DIRECTOR

DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR

CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD

EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL

MANAGING EDITOR

T H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN

GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ˜

˜

˜ ˜

DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS

˜ ˜

DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR

SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR

ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS

˜ CONTROLLERS

˜

˜

DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION

HEAD, COMPUTER DEPARTMENT

Ě“

TO SEND EMAIL: ďŹ rst name.surname@thisdaylive.com

TO OUR READERS Letters in response to speciďŹ c publications in THISDAY should be brief (150-200 words) and straight to the point. Interested readers may send such letters along with their contact details to opinion@thisdaylive.com. We also welcome comments and opinions on topical local, national and international issues provided they are well-written and should also not be longer than (9501000 words). They should be sent to opinion@thisdaylive.com along with the email address and phone numbers of the writer.

NIGERIA AT 60

NIGERIA’S ORIGINAL NAME

H

ow could we cancel history course from the syllabus of our education system? Apparently, those who advocate for this process know something they wish to hide. Credit to a write-up by Mike Ozekhome, SAN, for his enlightening piece on Nigeria at 60 whence he informed readers that the present entity known as Nigeria was once called something like a land of “Aggregation of Pagan and Mohammedan Tribes� (if I get it correct) by the British sometime in the 19th century. But the catchwords of “Pagan� and “Mohammedan� I am sure I got right. Oh, how enlightening! Right, by the time the British showed an interest in our entity, Christianity was glaringly absent and the Brits, the ever-observant anthropologists that they were, chose to use a religious classification for the splattering of tribalnations in existence back then. Fast forward to some 150 years in the future to the present 2020; Nigeria’s core identity today is still being defined by the over-arching influences of that original “Pagan� and “Mohammedan� tags. The Brits must have reckoned that a people already so steeped in their religious ways will not make good Christian converts. No wonder Lord Lugard actually discouraged Christian missionaries

provide basic services. The impact of all this on the ordinary Nigerian has been dreadful.

Even more worrying is the increasing threat to the union. Nigeria, at 60, is more divided than ever.

After surviving a three-year civil war and many other security and political challenges, Nigeria is yet to put its house in order. The glaring failings are embedded in the ever-increasing questions on its nationhood through threats of secession from various groups aside the ethno-religious polarisation of politics. The country is yet to “melt� the union into one as loyalty to primordial interest, even at the level of national leadership, still wins the day.

However, the challenges of the moment should not becloud the country’s achievements in the past decades. Nigeria has come a long way. As President Buhari has acknowledged, the country’s precious assets are its people who are everywhere “sparkling like diamonds in the pack, whether in academia, business, innovation, music, movie, entertainment and culture.� Only last week, TIME magazine named three Nigerians among its most influential 100 people in the world.

But there is a lot more to make the union safe and buoyant and buy commitment to its unity in diversity. One, government must do more to provide security and insulate Nigerians from the effects of the catastrophe that has overtaken the land. Two, the withering economy must be reinvigorated and put Nigerians back on their feet. Three, government, at all levels, must focus on the people, their safety and welfare, the optimal allocation of scarce resources and the effective implementation of policies for service delivery. Four, President Buhari must add value and strengthen the structural design of the country for good governance and human development.

As this newspaper has consistently argued, the present debate over restructuring of the federation for efficiency is well intended. The nation should be freed from stifling centralism which has aided conflict-ridden competition for power and resources. The least the federal government can do is to encourage the conversation and bring the wishes of the people to fruition.

We wish Nigeria Happy 60th Anniversary.

from converting everybody to Christianity.

Even today, there are millions of Nigerian “Christians� in name only. The Brits had a sound prophetic insight; their frustrating conclusion drawn with respect to our ability to quickly “civilise� back then is still a source of frustration today. Nigeria is the poverty capital of the world today because true Christianity has not yet made inroad into the psyche of the larger measure of the population and we are still held back by voodooism inclinations, especially in the southern half of the country where the idea of “Christianity� is a highly syncretized admixture philosophy of the local African cultures. In the northern part of Nigeria today, activists still kill in the name of their religion and concerned ones the world over are thinking the overseeing authority may even be complicit in the killing progression. True to form, where the Church is not deeply-noted, arrested development is a virtue. This statement-of-fact would make a good seminal paper or even a PhD in philosophy exploratory topic. Who would latch on to it? I am already occupied with my physics here at the FUT Minna, Niger State. r4VOEBZ "EPMF +POBI %FQBSUNFOU PG 1IZTJDT 'FEFSBM 6OJWFSTJUZ PG 5FDIOPMPHZ .JOOB /JHFS 4UBUF

I

bring you best wishes from Lagos, Southwest Nigeria.

The sad reality in our dear country is disturbing. It’s being passed around as commonplace.

Mr President, you have to do something with the power in your care.

Today, October 1, you’ll be leading Nigerians (including my humble self) through the rituals of celebrating our 60th independence anniversary.

I’m glad that the celebration will be low-keyed this time, and that means more money to spend on projects and programmes that will boost the quality of life for the average Nigerian.

The journeying has been thorny, but we have survived and taken significant steps. However, there is a lot more to do with regard to the economy, security and infrastructure.

Recently, you made a wish on being on the good side of history when you leave Aso Rock Villa. This moment is a great opportunity to work for this wish with your body language and actions.

Although we’re having a moderate celebration today, which is a reasonable thing to do, presenting a special gift

to Nigerians wouldn’t be a bad idea. I hope you’ll accept my gift idea. It’s to restore peace and security. It’s one idea that will benefit everyone and our dear country. With due respect, sir, tweaking the nation’s security infrastructure and chiefs seems perfect as independence day gift. As things stand with security, combating insurgency is stuck in the trial and error approach. It is not working. The approach and defeat rhetoric by the service chiefs is slowing things down. We have to keep the country together.

In the last two months, Borno State governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum has escaped death thrice by the whiskers.

Unfortunately, a hundred more citizens (including gallant armed forces) haven’t been lucky as the governor. Hope is in crunches in that part of the country and in many more places. Togetherness feels the pangs of division, every now and then. Despite this, there is good news. It’s well within your reach to make things work for all of us. And we don’t necessarily require external influence to get this done. r"GFF[ 0EVOPZF -BHPT

16

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 •T H I S D AY

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 • T H I S D AY

17

18

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 •T H I S D AY

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 • T H I S D AY

19

20

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 •T H I S D AY

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 • T H I S D AY

21

22

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 •T H I S D AY

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 • T H I S D AY

23

24

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020

POLITICS

Group Politics Editor NSEOBONG OKON-EKONG Email nseobong.okonekong@thisdaylive.com (08114495324 SMS ONLY)

‘I Love the Flamboyance of Second Republic Senators’

Danjuma Goje, a ranking Senator representing Gombe Central and twoterm former Governor of Gombe state bares his mind to Deji Elumoye, on Nigeria’s 60th and the impact of past federal legislators on the polity

A

s a former Minister, two-term ex-Governor of Gombe state and a high ranking Senator, as Nigeria Clocks 60 , what message do you have for your constituents and Nigeria in general?

I will start with Nigeria, I want to congratulate us Nigerians for staying together, despite all the obstacles and hurdles that attempted to divide this country. We have been able to stay together for 60 years and I think we’ve matured and I still congratulate all of us. In particular I want to congratulate our leaders, the first, second and third republic leaders, the military and the current politicians. I know we are under serious opposition but I think by and large to keep this country one calls for commendation. Even keeping this country with almost diverse 300 ethnic groups with various religious groups, inspite of the size, to stay together as one is a great achievement. So congratulations to Nigeria. As for my state Gombe, we’re just barely 24 years old now, I think I’m proud to say we can compare favourably with many older states in this country. I also want to congratulate Gombe State. We’ve overcome so many problems. My constituency has been lucky and my people are satisfied with a lot of my constituency projects. Probably that’s why they are voting for me. We have our weaknesses as politicians but

a lot. I don’t want to mention any name, the legislators then did very well. The first republic politicians were very selfless, patriotic and we have to commend the likes of Obafemi Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Ahmadu Bello, Tafawa Balewa They deserve serious commendations.

We had many flamboyant Senators in the Second Republic like Uba Ahmed, Olusola Saraki, then Senate President Joseph Wayas, Abraham Adesanya and so many of them. I really like the flamboyance of the Second Republic Senators especially the way they presented themselves during plenary. They were just wonderful. First Republic Senators were also good and they all performed creditably well.

Goje we’ve done well. Despite the serious threats of insecurity and insurgency in the North East, Gombe has been lucky to stay out of it and it that calls for commendation on the part of the leadership.

Is there any legislator in the past republics that you admire the way he carried out his legislative duties?

I admire the first indigenous Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Hon Ibrahim Jalo Waziri. He was from my state, Gombe and this really means

As a ranking Senator, I remember you said you may not likely stand for election again. But in the past few years you’ve been a distinguished Senator, what has the experience been like?

The experience has been nice as a politician who has been in politics since the Second Republic, I have been in politics since around 1981, when I was very young, almost 40 years ago. That’s why I said I don’t want to continue again, I have seen it all. Most of the present day politicians started at a later age not like my own. Although I was a civil servant before joining politics, but once you’re a politician you will

always remain one. It’s either you’re a politician contesting or advising. So I’ve been in this game for long and I think I should give the young ones a chance. I think I have done my best. I don’t want to praise myself but I think I’ve transformed Gombe from a big village to a city. It used to be a village when I took over but now it’s a city.

I established Gombe State Stadium, airport, modern central mosque, CAN centre for Christians. I established all that, and so on. At the national level, I have been there as a Minister of State for Power and Steel, I impacted so many communities nationwide in the area of rural development and I’m very proud of that. As a legislator we’ve done so many legislations. But I think one of the notable ones as the Chairman of the North East Caucus was the establishment of the North East Development Commission. We did that to help the victims of insurgency in North East and the Commission is doing very well so far. So, that’s why when I look at my contribution these 40 years I feel I have paid my dues and should give way to the younger ones to take over.

What would you like to be remembered for after leaving elective politics?

I want to be remembered as somebody who positively impacted on the lives of the people who elected him.

‘Nigerians Should Know that Our Democracy is Not 60 Years Yet’ Hon. Benjamin Kalu, representing Bende Federal Constituency in Abia State in the Green Chamber tells Udora Orizu that the legislative arm of government is the real fulcrum of democracy

A

s a legislator, what message do you have for Nigerians as the nation clocks 60?

While we celebrate the 60th anniversary, it’s important for Nigerians to know that our democracy is not 60 years old, the infancy of our democracy must be highlighted, because it will provide a guide to a very less comparative analysis that have been done between us and other democratic clients. People tend to mismanage their expectations of governance using the wrong yardstick to measure what we’ve become. Yes we know we’re not where are supposed to be. But we are heading somewhere, and with the kind of effort Nigeria has put into sustainable democracy, I’m pretty sure that there’s hope we will achieve. It takes time. While we think of American democracy and celebrate their achievements, it’s also important for us to know, gauge their achievement over their age, the age of the American democracy is about 200 years. Our democracy is at infant stage, our independence is 60, but our democracy is not 60. This is why when democracy came back in 1999, because it had been on suspension when the legislative arm of government was suspended. The voice of the masses was replaced by the dictates of the military.

The executive, judicial arms were there but there was no legislative arm. There was no democracy then because the fulcrum of democracy remains with the legislative arm of government.

Nigerians are trying to understand what the legislative arm does, but it’s

Kalu

important to note that there are a lot of misconceptions about the legislative arm. People don’t seem to understand that there’s a disconnect between what we are, what we’re able to do in line with the mandate of the constitution that provided for us in Section 4, and what we’re supposed to do in Sections 88, 89 and this misplaced expectations has placed the legislative arm on a pedestal of perception that has been misconstrued thereby placing a burden on those who seek to understand what we do and also a burden on our side to continuously prove that we’re the people’s parliament with the intention of making sure that the people’s democracy is a priority. We hope to

clear this misconception for Nigerians to believe us more and understand that we’re here to sustain democracy. There’s a future for our democracy because there’s a future for our legislature. Any day the legislative arm stops having a future, that will directly rob off on our democracy. The life of our legisture is directly proportional to the life of our democracy. And that will be the celebration of our independence that’s real. So when we fight for legislature, we fight for democracy, when we fight for democracy, we fight for ourselves because democracy is there to serve people. Democracy is the reason our forefathers fought for the independence of this country. Remove democracy from the objective of independence, it means that the independence we secured is worthless.

Mention a past lawmaker who made the most impression on you in the first, second or third republic, and why you admire this person?

It’s Femi Gbajabiamila, I’m not saying it because he’s the current Speaker.

People from my constituency will tell you this, during my campaign, some prominent persons in my constituency said we’re of the PDP, we’re only going to vote for you if you promise us you’re going to behave like Gbajabiamila. He has been my role model in the legislative arm because I have been understudying the legislative arm for about 17 years and go and check his history, he’s a man who has gone from minority leadership to majority leadership and then here.

All those times there was no single

scandal on him. Secondly, his power of eloquence, his display of confidence and courage on issues he believes in, he will stand on the floor and it doesn’t matter if the members of the House are against him, Femi will stand his ground and offer intelligent debates.

He’s thorough when he stands to talk, he speaks from the point of a researcher who has done his homework well. His carriage as a member of the parliament is next to none. His mode of dressing is also next to none. He’s a picture of what Nigerian parliamentarians should look like. Also his interest on national Issues, his legislations has to do with what affects the people, less privileged ones, education sector, health, name it, and that is what representation is supposed to be. Though he was in the minority, he didn’t allow the majority to swallow his voice, I admire his knowledge of law. I became a passionate follower of his political and legislative philosophies and I chose him like a mentor. He’s bringing a new style to the legislature, to the way leadership in legislature used to look. He’s thinking outside of the box. He does something unconventional but very productive. He’s accommodating and transparent. As long as I’m going to be in parliament, I’m going to always project his legislative philosophies.

So Femi Gbajabiamila is a man I have monitored for a longtime and I admire his approach towards legislative work and I’m following it so seriously, I hope I will be able to achieve what he has been able to achieve in the legislative arm.

25

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020

POLITICS

‘Legislators Should Consider National Interest, Not Loyalty to Political Party’ In this interview with Adedayo Akinwale, Hon. Ben Igbakpa, who represents Ethiope East and Ethiope West Federal Constituency of Delta State in the House of Representatives, reflects on the trajectory of federal lawmakers on the 60th independence anniversary of Nigeria

A

s Nigeria celebrates 60th independent anniversary, what are the ways the legislative arm has strengthened democracy in the country I think one of the most recent is when the late President Umaru Yar’dua was ill and there was no proper transmission of power. The legislative arm rose to the occasion and invoked the Doctrine of Necessity, thereby making the Vice President the President. I think that was a constitutional debacle and if not for the legislature it won’t happen.

Coming to the present day, you will agree with me that there have been life changing moves that the legislature has done, in terms of trying to check the executive. Of late, the legislature has taken the executive to task, bothering on budget implementation. I believe the legislature is living up to its billing.

We are not where we ought to be, but we are close to it.

Can you mention a past lawmaker that made the most impression on you?

I still remember the late Chuba Okadigbo, I’m still in love with late Pius Ekweribo from Delta State and in the very recent, the present Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, is one of the persons that actually made some of us into believing that you can actually come into the National Assembly and make a mark. Not forgeting Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, the Minority Leader in the Senate.

Why the choice of Okadigbo and what exactly did he do that left a lasting impression on you?

Okadigbo was a fearless man. He will say it the way it is. He was not bothered about the party when burning national issues came up. You will see a block of party supremacy and party loyalty and he will come in to form a ring of defence over it. Those crop of legislators didn’t look at party discipline, they looked at national issues and they discussed on that ground. In this our time, we should start looking at the nation and not party, because we see a lot of things come up, we see a rig of party defence coming to play.

Do you think Nigeria has made any progress, and how can the legislature help the excutive arm

Igbakpa

bring development to the country We have made progress. We have had unbroken democracy over this period, Nigerians are beginning to find their voice. I agree there has been some level of human rights abuses people have been arrested, which ought not to be.

As a democratic nation we find our voices and our voice is supposed to be heard. Today, I know that there are issues that Nigerians care not go into, there are some rooms that must not be opened and people are punished, which is not supposed to be. Be that as

it may, we were able to find our voice, we were able to keep a democratic line going over the period, because during the military it could have been worse, because there was no voice, they had to run away. Based on that, I think we have made some progress.

‘No Foreigner Will Build the Nigeria of Our Dreams’ Udora Orizu interviews Hon. Shina Peller, who represents Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/ IwajowaFederalConstituencyinOyoStateintheHouseofRepresents,whoencourages Nigerians to keep hope alive as the nation’s democratic journey progresses

W

hat message do you have for Nigerians as the nation clocks 60 on October 1st?

My message for Nigeria is that we must not give up hope despite our challenges we are still a nation of huge potentials.

We need to leverage the strength in our diversity rather than allow it tear us apart. First and foremost we are all Nigerians before we are Muslims or Christians or Fulanis or Yorubas, hence the interest of the

country must always come first. The political class must consider future generations when making decisions.

Nobody will come from outside to build the Nigeria of our dreams. We must do it ourselves. That is why I actively support novel ideas like the Lead Generation Initiative (LGI). It is clear that it is time for a paradigm shift, we need a new crop of leaders, and the youths need to get involved in politics right from the ward level up to the national level. We must be the change we seek.

Mention a past lawmaker who made the most impression on you in the first, second or third republic , and why you admire this person?

I admire Hon. Yakubu Dogara because he is bold and fearless and always puts the country first. He made sure the Green Chamber maintained its sanctity as an equal arm of government while still maintaining a cordial relationship with the executive and the judiciary.

Peller

26

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 •T H I S D AY

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 • T H I S D AY

27

28

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 •T H I S D AY

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 • T H I S D AY

29

30

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 •T H I S D AY

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 • T H I S D AY

31

32

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 •T H I S D AY

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 • T H I S D AY

33

34

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 •T H I S D AY

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 • T H I S D AY

35

36

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 •T H I S D AY

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 • T H I S D AY

37

38

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 •T H I S D AY

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 • T H I S D AY

39

40

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 •T H I S D AY

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 • T H I S D AY

41

42

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 •T H I S D AY

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 • T H I S D AY

43

44

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 •T H I S D AY

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 • T H I S D AY

45

46

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 •T H I S D AY

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 • T H I S D AY

47

48

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 •T H I S D AY

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 • T H I S D AY

49

50

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 •T H I S D AY

51

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻ, 2020

BUSINESSWORLD

Group Business Editor Obinna Chima Email obinna.chima@thisdaylive.com 08152447875

ÍŻ Íś Ëœ Í° ÍŽ Í° ÍŽ MONEY MARKET OBB OVERNIGHT

REPO 2% 3%

CALL 1-MONTH

2% 3%

S & P INDEX INDEX INDEX LEVEL 1-DAY

S&P 602.60 % -0.04 %

1/4 TO DATE YEAR TO DATE

EXCHANGE RATE 7.07 % 25.24 %

͹;͡˚ͯ ̊ ̊

Quick Takes ATCON Holds Telecoms Dialogue Oct. 15

MEDIA ENGAGEMENT

L-R: Head, PPM, BEDC Electricity Plc, Mr. Manish Kumar; Executive Director, Commercial, Mr. Abu Ejoor, and Chief State Head, Edo State, Mr. Abel Enechaziam, during the media engagement session for On-Air-Personalities, Online and newspaper journalists across the BEDC franchise states on the new Service-based Tari for electricity supply industry held in Benin‌ recently

Despite Challenges, Telecoms Sector on Growth Path, Experts Say Emma Okonji As Nigeria celebrates her Diamond Jubilee today, having clocked 60 years of Independence, some telecom operators and subscribers have said despite the challenges, the sector has recorded unprecedented growth in the last ten years.

Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, while responding to telecoms development since Independence, told THISDAY that the sector, like every other sector of the Nigerian economy, had its challenges. He however said the challenges were products of the growth and development processes that brought telecoms to its limelight in recent times.

According to Adebayo, “Our challenges in the telecoms

TELECOM sector in the last 60 years, were products of growth and development. We had challenges in power supply, telecoms infrastructure rollout among others, but government, in recent times, showed its political will to develop the telecoms sector. “At a time growth in telecoms was hindered by lack of adequate power supply, vulnerability, destruction of telecoms facilities during roads construction and willful destruction of the telecoms sector, which affected widespread rollout of telecoms infrastructure, but all that were products of growth and development, which we have gained in the last 10 years. “We also had issues with spectrum allocation, which was another challenge as a result

of growth and development of the telecoms sector. We have the National Spectrum Management Council established by government to look at the challenges and even distribution of spectrum in the telecoms sector. “The challenges were there but they were not unusual. The kind of growth we have had in the telecoms industry, passed through some challenges, which were products of growth and development, and today we can beat our hands on our chest and say that telecoms activities have really grown well in Nigeria, cutting across all sectors of the Nigerian economy.�

What we lost in 50 years as a country, we have gained it in the last 10 years. In essence, we have reasons to be happy as we celebrate Nigeria at 60, having gained what was lost

in the past decades in terms of telecoms infrastructure and development, Adebayo said.

Citing vision 2020, Adebayo said only the telecoms sector surpassed the target that was set 10 years ago. According to him, the Vision 2020 target was that by 2020, we should have 50 million lines, “but today we have surpassed the 100 million mark in telecoms subscriptions in terms of the number of registered subscribers and number of lines across all networks. There were doubt 10 years ago that Nigeria cannot register 50 million lines by 2020, but we have surpassed that today. “At 60 years of Independence, I think players in the telecoms sector have done very well in terms of telecoms growth and development,�Adebayo said.

CSOs Seek Improved FX Supply for Petroleum Marketers Peter Uzoho with agency report A consortium of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has asked the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to ensure improved access to foreign exchange (FX) for importation of petroleum products by oil marketers.

The group disclosed this in a communique released after its meeting in Abuja, on Tuesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) noted that the consortium formed in April 2020, is spearheaded by the Nigeria Natural Resource Charter (NNRC) comprises Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), BudgIT and Connected Development (CODE).

Others are Media Initiative

ECONOMY for Transparency in Extractive Industries (MITEI), OrderPaper Advocacy Initiative, Women in Extractives (WiE), Dataphyte, Spaces for Change, Extractive 360, Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA) and Youth Forum on Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (Youth Forum on EITI).

Also, Publish What You Pay (PWYP), Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), African Centre for Leadership Strategy and Development (CentreLSD), Centre for Development Support Initiatives (CEDSI), Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA) and Koyenum Immalah Foundation.

They urged the CBN to ensure that all marketers importing petrol are treated the same way as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). “The relevant authorities, especially the CBN should ensure a level-playing field for all importers of PMS (petrol) and not place the NNPC at an advantage over others,� they stated.

They also called on the NNPC to take urgent practical steps to reverse the fortunes of the loss making refineries as revealed in its published 2018 Audited Reports of its subsidiaries. “The refineries remain cost centres that the Nigerian government cannot afford given the impact of COVIV-19 and other fiscal pressures on its economy.

“The Nigerian government should create an enabling environment for the private sector to contribute to the efficient running of the refineries so that Nigeria can reach its domestic refining goals,� it said.

The group further called on the President and the Minister of Petroleum Resources to demonstrate honest commitment to the deregulation efforts by expunging the laws that entrench the potential of returning to a subsidy regime and pre-deregulation state.

They said government should repeal the law establishing the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) and other agencies to ensure full deregulation of the downstream oil sector.

Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă?Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ě™ Ěš Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂŒĂ?Ăœ ÍŻÍł Ă‹Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ ĂŽĂ‹ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– ÓËÖÙÑĂ&#x;Ă? Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă?Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ™Ăœ Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ëœ åÓÞÒ ÞÒĂ? ÞÒĂ?Ă—Ă?Ë? ËŤ Ă‹ĂœĂ˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? ÓÑÓÞËÖ Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ? Ă&#x;Ă“Ă–ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă? Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă™Ă—ĂŁË›ËŹ Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ&#x;Ă—Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă“Ă? ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă–Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ ÒÙÖÎ Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă”Ă‹Ëœ Ă“Ă? ÚÙĂ?Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă?Ă&#x;ĂšĂšĂ™ĂœĂž ÞÒĂ? Ă‘ĂœĂ™ĂĄĂžĂ’ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă™Ă—ĂŁ Ă‹Ă? ÞÒÙĂ&#x;Ă‘Ă’Ăž Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ™Ăœ Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă?âÚĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă&#x;Ăš åÓÞÒ Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă‹Ă? Ă‹Ă? ÞÙ ĂĄĂ’Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂ&#x;ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂšĂœĂ“Ă Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ ĂŽĂ™ ÞÙ ×ËâÓ×ÓĂ?Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂŒĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă“Ă˜Ă’Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ÎÓÑÓÞËÖ Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă™Ă—ĂŁË› Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ&#x;Ă— Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă?âÚĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă&#x;Ă? Ă™Ă˜ Ă?ÙÖĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? ÞÒËÞ Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂœĂ?Ă Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ă?Ă˜ Ă?ĂžĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂœĂŽ Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ËŞĂ? Ë› ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă™Ă? Ëœ ĂœË› Ă–Ă&#x;Ă?ÙÖË Ă?Ă˜Ă“Ă™Ă–Ă‹ ĂĄĂ’Ă™ Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ ĂŽĂ‹ĂžĂ?Ëœ Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽ ĂĄĂ‹Ă? ÚÖĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă“ĂœĂ—Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? Ă?Ù×Ă? ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă–Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă?Ă? ÞÒËÞ ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ËÞÞĂ?Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ&#x;Ă—Ë› Ă’Ă?ĂŁ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă–Ă&#x;ĂŽĂ?Ë? ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂœËœ Ă?ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ‹Ă– Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁ Ă™Ă? Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÓÑÓÞËÖ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă™Ă—ĂŁËœ ĂœË› Ă?Ă‹ Ă–Ă“ Ă‹Ă˜ĂžĂ‹Ă—Ă“ Ëž âĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;ÞÓà Ă? Ùà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă™ĂœËœ Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ă‹Ă&#x; ÞËÞĂ?Ëœ ĂœË› Ă“Ă—Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă•Ă™ Ă‹Ă–Ă™Ă˜Ă‘Ëž Ëš Ëœ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ù××ÓĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜ Ě™ ĚšËœ ĂœĂ™Ă? Ă—Ă‹Ăœ Ă‹ĂœĂŒĂ‹ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŒĂ‹ĂžĂžĂ‹Ëž Ă“ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœĚ‹ Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă–Ëš Ëœ Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă–

Ă˜Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘ĂŁ Ă?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ Ě™ ĚšËœ ĂœË› Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă?Ă&#x; Ă˜Ă&#x;ĂĄĂ‹ ĂŒĂŽĂ&#x;Ă–Ă–Ă‹Ă’Ă“Ëž Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂœĂŁ Ă“ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ™Ăœ Ě™ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ĚšËœ Ă™ĂœĂ–ĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜Ă•Ëœ ĂœË› Ă’Ă&#x;ĂŒĂ’Ă‹Ă— Ă’Ă‹Ă&#x;ĂŽĂ’Ă&#x;ĂœĂ“Ëž Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœËš Ëœ Ă“ĂœĂžĂ?Ă– Ă?ĂžĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ•Ă?Ëœ ĂœË› Ă?Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă˜ Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁĂ‹Ëž Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœËš Ëœ ÍˇĂ—Ă™ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă?Ëœ ĂœË› Ă–Ă‹Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă–ĂŽËž Ëœ Ă&#x;Ă‹ĂĄĂ?Ă“ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ëœ ĂœË› ĂœĂ?Ă Ă™Ăœ Ă“Ă&#x;ĂŁĂ‹Ă˜Ëœ Ă‹Ă—Ă™Ă˜Ă‘ ÙÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ?Ë› ËŤ Ă’Ă? Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– ÓËÖÙÑĂ&#x;Ă? Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă? ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂ‘Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă‹Ăž Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă˜Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă?ĂžĂœĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂœĂŁËŞĂ? ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’ ÞÒĂ? ×ËâÓ×Ă&#x;Ă— Ă&#x;ÞÓÖÓĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? ÎÓÑÓÞËÖ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă’ ÞÒËÞ Ă?Ă?ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ‹Ă– ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžËœ Ă?ÞËÞĂ? ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÙÞÒĂ?Ăœ Ă•Ă?ĂŁ Ă?ÞËÕĂ?ÒÙÖÎĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă‘ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ?Ëœ ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ Ă“Ă– Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă?Ëœ Ă?Ă‹Ă–ĂžĂ’Ëœ Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁËœ ĂœĂ‹ĂŽĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă˜Ă Ă?Ă?Þ×Ă?Ă˜ĂžËœ Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ“ĂžĂŁ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ?Ëœ ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ Ă–Ă?Ă Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă‘Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă Ă?Ă˜Ăž ÞÙ Ă“Ă—ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă? ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ“ĂŒĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ËŞĂ? ËœËŹ Ă?Ă˜Ă“Ă™Ă–Ă‹ Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽË› Ă? Ă–Ă“Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă?ĂžĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ?Ă‘Ă“Ă? Ă™ĂŒĂ”Ă?Ă?ÞÓà Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂœĂ™ĂšĂ™Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– ÓËÖÙÑĂ&#x;Ă? Ă‹Ă?Ë?

Verve Rewards 600 Customers in Promo

Ă?ĂœĂ Ă? Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă’Ă‹Ă? ĂœĂ?ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽĂ?ĂŽ Í´ÍŽÍŽ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?ÞÙ×Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă™ Ă?Ă‹Ăœ Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ?Ăœ Ă“ĂžĂ? ĂžĂ’Ă“ĂœĂŽ ĂĄĂ?Ă?Ă•Ă–ĂŁ ĂŽĂœĂ‹ĂĄĂ? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă™Ă˜Ă‘Ă™Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?ĂœĂ Ă? ËŠ ÙÙÎ Ă“Ă?Ă?ËŞ ĂœĂ™Ă—Ă™Ë› Ă?ĂœĂ Ă? ĂœĂ?ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽĂ?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă&#x;Ă?Ă•ĂŁ Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂŽĂ’Ă™Ă–ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ăž ĂšĂœĂ“Ă¤Ă? ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă—Ă™Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă’Ă?Ă–ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ Ă Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă™Ă&#x;Ă? Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă‹Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă?Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂœĂŁ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ–ĂŁË› Ă—Ă™Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? ͹͎͎ Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂŽĂ’Ă™Ă–ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ? ÞÒËÞ Ă?Ă—Ă?ĂœĂ‘Ă?ĂŽ ĂĄĂ“Ă˜Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? ÍŻÍŽËœÍŽÍŽÍŽ Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă’ ĂšĂœĂ“Ă¤Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ĂĄĂ?Ă?Ă•Ă–ĂŁ ĂœĂ‹Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă? ĂŽĂœĂ‹ĂĄĂ?Ëœ ĂĄĂ?ĂœĂ?Ë? ĂŽĂ?Ă–Ă?Ă•Ă? Ă™Ă?Ă’Ă™Ă™ĂŽËœ Ă‹ Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;ĂŽĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— ĂŁĂ™ ÞËÞĂ?Ëž ĂŽĂ?ÙÑĂ&#x;Ă˜ Ă’Ă‹Ă•Ă“ĂœĂ&#x;Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ Ă‹Ă&#x;ĂžĂ™Ă—Ă™ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă? Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă–Ă“Ă?Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă“ĂŽĂ‹Ăž ĂŒĂ™Ă–Ă‹Ă”Ă“Ëœ Ă‹ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂĄĂ™Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ëœ ĂŒĂ™ĂžĂ’ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă? ÞËÞĂ?Ë› Ă˜Ă™ĂžĂ’Ă?Ăœ Ă?Ă?Ăž Ă™Ă? ͹͎͎ Ă?ĂœĂ Ă? Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂŽĂ’Ă™Ă–ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă—Ă?ĂœĂ‘Ă?ĂŽ ĂĄĂ“Ă˜Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂžĂ“Ă—Ă? ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂžĂ’ ÍłËœÍŽÍŽÍŽËœ ĂŒĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? ÞÙÞËÖ Ă‹Ă—Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜Ăž ĂĄĂ™Ă˜ Ă?Ă™ Ă?Ă‹Ăœ ÞÙ Ͳ˛ͳ Ă—Ă“Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ë› ĂšĂ?Ă‹Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂŽĂ&#x;ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? ĂŽĂœĂ‹ĂĄĂ?Ëœ ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ăš Ă’Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă?ĂœËœ Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ?ĂĄĂ“ĂžĂ?Ă’ ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;ĂšËœ Ă’Ă?ĂœĂœĂŁ ĂœĂ™Ă—Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă?Ëœ Ă?Ă˘ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă’Ă?Ăœ ĂŽĂ?Ă–Ă“Ă‘Ă’Ăž Ă‹ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂŽĂ’Ă™Ă–ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ? ÞÒËÞ Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă˜ ĂœĂ?ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽĂ?ĂŽ Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ă–ĂŁË› ĂœĂ™Ă—Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă“ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă?ĂœĂ Ă?ËŞĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă?ÙÖà Ă? ÞÙ Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă? ÞÙ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ëœ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă Ă?Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂœĂ?Ă–Ă“Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? ÚËã×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?ÙÖĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂŽĂ’Ă™Ă–ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ?Ë› Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽË? ËŤ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂŽĂ’Ă™Ă–ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă? ĂšĂœĂ“Ă™ĂœĂ“ĂžĂŁ ÞÙ Ă&#x;Ă? Ă‹Ăž Ă?ĂœĂ Ă?Ëœ ĂŒĂ?ĂŁĂ™Ă˜ĂŽ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ?Ă— ĂŒĂœĂ“Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă‹Ă˜Ăž ÚËã×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?ÙÖĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ëœ ĂĄĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ? ĂœĂ?ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ?Ă— Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ ÖÙãËÖÞã åÓÞÒ ÞÒĂ? Ă?âÚĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒËÞ ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ?ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽ Ă’Ă?Ă–ĂšĂ? ÞÒĂ?Ă— Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă?Ă Ă? ÞÒĂ? ÑÙÙÎ Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă?Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ă Ă?Ăœ ÞÒĂ? ÑÙÙÎ Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă—Ă?Ă‹Ă˜Ă? ÞÙ ÞÒĂ?ײˏ Ă?ĂœĂ Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ–ĂŁ Ă–Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă’Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹ Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ĂĄĂ“ĂŽĂ? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă—Ă™ ÞËÑÑĂ?ĂŽ Ă’Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ Ă? ËŠ ÙÙÎ Ă“Ă?Ă?ËŞ ĂœĂ™Ă—Ă™Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă•Ă“Ă?Ă•Ă?ĂŽ Ă™Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă˜ Ă?ÚÞĂ?Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ ÍŻËœ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– ĂœĂ&#x;Ă˜ ÞÓÖÖ Ùà Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ Í°ÍˇËœ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽË› Ă’Ă? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă—Ă™ Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă•Ă? ÞÙ Ă?Ă˜Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ Ă?ËŞĂ? ÖÙãËÖ Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂŽĂ’Ă™Ă–ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ? ÞÙ Ă–Ă“Ă Ă? ÞÒĂ? ÑÙÙÎ Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă?Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ă Ă?Ăœ ÞÒĂ? ˊÑÙÙÎ Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă?ËŞ Ă—Ă?Ă‹Ă˜Ă? ÞÙ ÞÒĂ?Ă—Ë› Ă’Ă? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă—Ă™ Ă“Ă? ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂ‘Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă‹Ăž ĂœĂ?ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ùà Ă?Ăœ Í°ËœÍłÍŽÍŽ Ă?ĂœĂ Ă? Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂŽĂ’Ă™Ă–ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ĂĄĂ“ĂŽĂ?Ëœ åÓÞÒ Ùà Ă?Ăœ Í°Íľ Ă—Ă“Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă™Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă’ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂžĂ“Ă—Ă?Ëœ ĂŽĂ&#x;ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ă™Ă? ÍŻÍ° ĂĄĂ?Ă?Ă•Ă? ĂŽĂ&#x;ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă—Ă™Ë›

Pantami to Speak at NIS 2020 Forum

Ă’Ă? Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă?ĂžĂ?Ăœ Ă™Ă? Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÓÑÓÞËÖ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă™Ă—ĂŁËœ ĂœË› Ă?Ă‹ Ă–Ă“ ĂŒĂœĂ‹Ă’Ă“Ă— Ă‹Ă˜ĂžĂ‹Ă—Ă“ ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– ĂŽĂ?Ă–Ă“Ă Ă?Ăœ ÞÒĂ? Ă•Ă?ĂŁĂ˜Ă™ĂžĂ? Ă‹Ăž ÞÒÓĂ? ĂŁĂ?Ă‹ĂœËŞĂ? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ă˜Ă˜Ă™Ă Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă&#x;Ă—Ă—Ă“Ăž Ě™ ĚšËœ ĂŽĂ&#x;ĂŒĂŒĂ?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ă˜Ă˜Ă™Ă Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă?Ă• Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽË› Ă? Ă“Ă? Ă?âÚĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă‹Ă• ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘ĂŁ Ă“Ă˜Ă˜Ă™Ă Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă—Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁ ĂŒĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă™Ăœ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă‘ĂœĂ™ĂĄĂžĂ’Ë› Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ă?Ă˜Ă‘Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă‘Ă–Ă™ĂŒĂ‹Ă– ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ă—Ă“Ă? Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă?Ù×ÚĂ?Ă–Ă–Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă™ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ? ÞÙ ÒÙÖÎ ÞÒÓĂ? ĂŁĂ?Ă‹ĂœËŞĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă? Ă‹ Ă Ă“ĂœĂžĂ&#x;Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ&#x;Ă—Ë›

Ăž Ă“Ă? ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă–Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ ÒÙÖÎ ĂŒĂ?ÞåĂ?Ă?Ă˜ Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂŒĂ?Ăœ ʹÞÒ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÍśĂžĂ’Ëœ åÓÞÒ ÞÒĂ? ÞÒĂ?Ă—Ă?Ë? ËŠ Ă˜Ă˜Ă™Ă Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă˜ ĂœĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă?Ă‹Ă– Ă“Ă—Ă?Ă?˛˪ Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă–Ă?Ëœ ÙÞÒĂ?Ăœ Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă‹Ă•Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă“ĂœĂ—Ă?ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ? ĂĄĂ?Ă?Ă•Ě‹Ă–Ă™Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă–Ă&#x;ĂŽĂ?Ëž âĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;ÞÓà Ă? Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă’Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂ—Ă‹Ă˜Ëœ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ù××ÓĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜ Ě™ ĚšËœ ĂœĂ™Ă?Ë› Ă—Ă‹Ăœ Ă‹ĂœĂŒĂ‹ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŒĂ‹ĂžĂžĂ‹Ëž Ă?Ă‘Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœËœ ÙÒÙ Ă™ĂœĂšĂ™ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ Ă˜ĂŽĂœĂ?ĂĄ Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ˜Ă?Ëž Ă?Ù̋Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ăœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ëœ Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă? Ă‹Ă—ĂšËœ ĂžĂžĂ‹ĂĄĂ‹Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹ĂŽĂ‹Ëœ ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă‹ĂœĂŽĂ™ Ă‹Ă“Ă–Ă?ÞÞÓ˞ Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ?ĂœËš ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ăš ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžËœ ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ăš Ă™Ă–ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘Ă?Ëœ Ă‹ĂžĂ&#x;×ËÞË ÙÕĂ?ĂœËž Ëœ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– ĂŁĂ?ĂžĂ?Ă—Ă? ĂžĂŽËœ ĂœË› ĂŁĂ?Ă–Ă? Ă•Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă—Ă“Ëœ Ă‹Ă—Ă™Ă˜Ă‘ ÙÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ?Ë› ĂšĂ?Ă‹Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă Ă?Ă˜ĂžËœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă‹ĂŽ Ă™Ă˜Ă Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ăœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ăœ Ă™Ă? Ă˜Ă˜Ă™Ă Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă&#x;ĂŒ Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă—Ă“ĂžĂ?ĂŽËœ ĂœË› Ă?Ă˜Ă˜Ă?ÞÒ Ă—Ă?ĂœĂ&#x;Ă™Ëœ Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜Ă˜Ă™Ă Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Í°ÍŻĂ?Ăž Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂŁ ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂšĂ&#x;Ăž Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă‹Ă’Ă?Ă‹ĂŽ Ă™Ă? ÙÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ?Ë›

“Nigeria’s journey is one that is filled with so many memorable milestones.

Although we still face some peculiar challenges, there is much to be proud of as Nigeria clocks 60 years. The launch of Tech Experience Centre represents a major milestone in Nigeria’s march to technology independence�

Chairman, Zinox Group,

Leo Stan Ekeh

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯ, 2020

52

BUSINESSWORLD

ANALYSIS

Reviving Telecoms Sector 60yrs after Independence Emma Okonji writes on the evolution of the Nigerian telecoms sector since the country gained Independence

Danbatta

S

ince 1960 when Nigeria attained Independence the telecoms sector has been fraught with challenges.

Telecoms experts are, however, of the view that although the sector suffered several setbacks in the past, the situation began to change for the better in the last 10 years till date, where the sector has gained all that it lost in 50 years.

Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, said that in the last 10 years till date, the telecoms sector has regained all that it lost in 50 years, hence telecoms contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP) has been growing year-on-year. In second quarter (Q2) of 2020, it grew by 18.10 per cent according to the National Bureau of Statistics, helping the ICT sector to contribute 17.83 per cent to Nigeria’s GDP. Adebayo said: “What we lost in 50 years as a country in the telecoms sector, we have gained it in the last 10 years. In essence, we have cause to be happy as we celebrate Nigeria at 60 years of Independence, having gained what was lost in the past decades in terms of telecoms infrastructure and development.

We have caught up rapidly with telecoms development.

“For vision 2020, only the telecoms sector surpassed the target. 10 years ago, the Vision 2020 target was that by 2020, we should have 50 million lines, but today we have surpassed the 100 million mark in telecoms subscriptions in terms of the number of registered subscribers and number of lines across all networks.

Today telecoms sector can boost of 199 million registered lines. There were doubt 10 years ago that Nigeria cannot register 50 million lines by 2020, but we have surpassed that.

At 60 years of Independence, I think players in the telecoms sector have done very well in terms of telecoms growth and development.”

Agusto & Co., Nigeria’s research house and rating institution, recently released its 2020 Telecommunications Industry Report, which focused on voice, data, auxiliary services as well as the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the quality and affordability of telecoms service in Nigeria.

According to the report, the entire telecoms market in Nigeria was estimated at approximately N2.5 trillion in 2019 with MTN accounting for nearly half of the industry’s revenue in the same period.

The Agusto & Co report, however, expects Nigeria’s telecommunications industry revenue to maintain an upward trajectory in 2020 increasing by at least 15 per cent to around N2.9 trillion on the back of the exponential voice and data traffic witnessed in April 2020 during the five-week long restrictions on movement to curb the spread of the pandemic.

Telecoms’ evolution Before Nigeria gained independence, communication was mainly through the telegraphic wire, initiated by the colonial masters, but after independence in 1960, the Nigeria Telecommunications Limited (NITEL), was established in 1985, following the separation of postal services from telecommunication services. As at that time,

Adebayo

telecommunication was the exclusive right of the affluent in the society as only few people had access to telephony. People had to queue for hours and days, just to make international calls and sometimes local calls with the 090 NITEL line.

However, the advent of GSM in 2001 eventually demystified telecommunications, and gave every Nigerian the access and right to communicate. The introduction of GSM in 2001, increased the number of registered lines from less than 400,000 in 41 years, to over one million lines in less than one year.

After 2001, Nigerians could sit at the comfort of their homes and offices to make instant calls within and outside Nigeria, through their personal hand-held devices called the mobile phones. Banking activities are now transacted on the mobile phones, without the bank customer visiting the banks.

The most eventful period was between 2001 and 2015, when the telecoms sector was liberalised.

In 2001, the first set of Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) operators were licensed. They included Econet Wireless (now Airtel), MTN and NITEL. In 2003, Globacom was licensed and in 2008, Etisalat, now 9mobile, was licensed, while ntel was licensed in 2014, but rolled out services in 2016, after its successful privatisation process through a guided liquidation exercise.

Following the inability of NITEL to cope with competition from GSM operators, it folded up its operations and was eventually sold to NATCOM in 2014, which currently trades as ntel.

In all of these, the sector was fraught with challenges ranging from multiple taxation, poor telecoms infrastructure rollout, vandalism and harsh government policies that retarded growth of the sector. The challenges led to several setbacks, but in the last 10 years, experts are of the view that the sector has regained all that it lost in 50 years.

Challenges Since Independence in 1960, the Nigerian telecoms sector had been a mixture of challenges and growth, a situation that affected its quality of service delivery, growth and development.

Multiple taxes Governments across the country continually imposed various taxes on telecoms operations, a development that affected telecoms growth.

In an attempt to enforce payment of the taxes, government agencies across states, were in the habit of sealing up telecoms sites and disrupt telecoms operations in and around the state.

The Kogi State Internal Revenue Service, for instance, in 2018 and 2019, shutdown several Base Transceiver Stations (BTS), commonly known as Base Stations belonging to telecoms operators in the state for alleged refusal to pay imposed levies.

Telecoms operators have contested the taxes and described them as multiple and overlapping in nature, yet state governments and federal government agencies are still bent at collecting the levy to boost their Internal

Teniola

Generated Revenue (IGR). Some of the taxes include Company Income Tax, NITDA Levy, Education Tax, Annual Operating Levy on Net Revenue and VAT on consumption of services, Carbon Emission Tax, Utility Tax, among others.

Apart from Kogi State, several other states have also compelled telecoms operators to pay such levies and taxes and they have gone as far as stopping telecoms expansion work in their various states.

Right of Way charges The Right of Way (RoW) charges imposed by different state governors on telecoms operations in their various states, was another challenge that affected telecoms growth and development.

The federal government in 2013, had an agreement with telecoms operators to implement a new flat rate of N145 per linear metre on RoW charges, but since 2013, no state implemented it, which prompted the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami, to meet with the governors in January this year, where he reminded them of the 2013 agreement on RoW charges and its benefits on the growth of telecoms infrastructure across states.

Four months after Pantami met with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) on RoW charges, Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who is the Chairman of NGF, in May this year, signed an Executive Order reducing RoW charges relating to laying of broadband cable or any other telecoms infrastructure in the state from N4,500 to N145 per linear metre in line with the agreement. This was after Katsina State had earlier implemented the agreement. Since then, only seven state governors have reversed to N145 per linear metre charge, while two other states are currently reviewing the process for the reduction of RoW charges.

Aside the seven states, the other 29 states were still charging at random between N500 and N6,000, before the outbreak of COVID-19.

Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, who confirmed that only seven states were currently charging the N145 per liner metre for RoW, however, said RoW charges in the remaining 29 states had been put on hold since the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown of the economy since March this year.

Masts/towers deployment The deployment of telecoms masts and towers in different states of the federation, was another challenge that bedeviled telecoms growth and development across states. The sector was either faced with social miscreants destroying telecoms masts and equipment, or the refusal by government authority to install telecoms masts. In Abuja for instance, the Federal Capital Authority (FCTA), at a time, had to suspend all processes leading to the approval of masts installation in the Abuja metropolis, a development that stalled telecoms infrastructure expansion in Abuja metropolis.

Service quality Since independence, Nigeria has been battling with service quality, but it became more prominent after the licensing of GSM operators in 2001.

Since the rollout of GSM services in 2001, subscribers have been battling with service quality offerings across networks. It is either subscribers are unable to effect calls, unable to recharge their phones or they are burdened with intermittent drop calls and non-delivery of text messages, as well as unsolicited text messages and advertisements.

President, Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Olusola Teniola, however blamed the issue of poor service quality across telecoms network on lack of investments, which he said, degenerated the quality of service since 2015.

While this was going on, Over The Top (OTT) players like WhatsApp, Skype, and Instagram made serious incursion into telecoms network by offering free telecoms voice service, while riding on telecoms infrastructure. The situation affected voice calls, and there is a paradigm shift from voice calls to data communication.

Effect of COVID-19 According to Adebayo, “COVID-19 pandemic has helped the telecoms sector increase consumption and it has helped in the increase of infrastructure rollout. This is true because more services have moved online and more people are transacting online because of the new normal brought about by COVID-19, and most of the services rely greatly on telecoms infrastructure, which goes to show that telecoms services are essential services cutting across all sectors of the Nigerian economy.”

Teniola, however, explained that COVID-19 highlighted the dependency that society has on connectivity and digital systems in all aspects of our lives.

“The pandemic has been a catalyst in bringing to the front the reality of a divided online world. With remote access to virtual tools that are a significant part of our lives in terms of education, health, public awareness, security and economic growth, it is obvious that we are on a long journey to fully utilise the potential and power of technology in improving the quality and standard of our lives,” Teniola said.

Regulatory intervention To address the challenges, especially in the area of poor service quality, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the telecoms industry regulator, came up with several measures, which included the introduction of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and fines, as well as ban on telecoms promos.

The Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof.

Umar Danbatta, apart from implementing several regulatory policies that brought growth and stability in the telecoms sector, especially in broadband penetration, also led several delegations to state governors, before a repeated appeal and visit by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Pantami, which led to few state governors accepting to reduce RoW charges.

53

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻ, 2020

Purple Launches HP, African Union Sign MoU to e-Commerce Platform Develop Africa’s Entrepreneurial Skills

The Purple Group has concluded arrangements to launch purple. shop, an e-commerce site. purple. shop is a full-service e-commerce platform that leverages Group’s retail base online and helps the stores and businesses in its centres reach more customers through online channels.

It provides more than just retail, but also marketing elements and real-time analytics to enable growth for businesses. It is the first of its kind extension of a physical mall to a digital platform.

Purple.shop will be launched alongside purpletv, an online media content channel dedicated to promoting all Purple’s brands and partners (clients).

Contents generated and featured on the platform will be a combination of lifestyle, news and entertainment to suit the nature of businesses present in the centres and the interests of target audience across all Purple products.

Purple Group said it would premiere the purple commercial

and have performing acts such as Joeboy and other A-list artists.

There will also be free tickets to shop online at a discounted price exclusive to the first 1000 people to sign up.

Formerly known as Purple Capital Partners, Purple Group, which recently won ‘BusinessDay Property Development Company of the Year 2020’ award, is an ecosystem of brands focused on creating best-in-class lifestyle experiences for our consumers through our principal investments in superior mixed-use facilities and services.

The group’s lifestyle services spans through real estate, retail, e-commerce, media and advertising, entertainment and family fun, financial services amongst others; all focused on driving our mission to create lifestyle experiences for our consumers with convenience, affordability and finesse. Its lifestyle portfolio of developments include purplemaryland, purplelekki, purplenano.

Stories by Emma Okonji HP, in partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to foster entrepreneurial learning in Africa.

The aim of the MoU is to further cement the collaboration between these two parties in building entrepreneurial skills across the continent and to leverage HP Foundation’s Learning Initiative for Entrepreneurs (HP LIFE). HP LIFE provides people in the region with access to 32 free, online courses in seven languages to build key business competencies as set out in the AGENDA 2063.

AGENDA 2063 is Africa’s blueprint and master plan for transforming Africa into

the global powerhouse of the future. It is the continent’s strategic framework that aims to deliver on its goal for inclusive and sustainable development and is a concrete manifestation of the pan-African drive for unity, self-determination, freedom, progress, and collective prosperity.

HP Inc. and the AUC have agreed to exchange information and material on enhancing quality education for learners and entrepreneurs in Africa, organise symposiums and conferences on education and skills development initiatives, leverage the online platform HP LIFE, which is aimed to enroll a million users between 2016 and 2025 and is part of HP’s commitment to enable better learning outcomes for

100 million people globally by 2025.

The aim of the MoU is to ensure closer collaboration and exchange of information between the parties, in a manner that creates synergies in youth skills development, academic exchanges, and research in Africa.

Announcing the collaboration, Managing Director, HP Africa, Essadiqi Interim, said: “HP is driving access to quality education globally to enable anyone and everyone to build skills to compete in the digital economy. “Making education more accessible and effective helps people get better jobs, launch small businesses, and create opportunities for their families and communities. HP believes technology can be the great

equalizer in education and is using it to enable students to get access to quality education in the classroom and beyond.�

The AU Commissioner for Human Resource, Science and Technology, Prof. Sarah Anyang Agbor said: “The partnership with HP will accelerate our education response to Covid-19 and beyond to ensure accessible and continued learning for African youth. The African Union’s education agenda, which has a focus on digital learning is well complemented by the opportunities that the work with HP will bring about for African youth. In line with prioritizing distance learning, the partnership will support individuals and institutions of learning to provide the requisite expertise and opportunities.�

IIM-Africa Partner NiNAS to Train Data, Information Managers The Institute of Information Management (IIM) Africa and the Nigeria National Accreditation System ( NiNAS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the fields of accreditation and training of data, information, records, archives, knowledge and document management practitioners in the country.

The President/Chairman of IIM-Africa, Dr. Oyedokun Oyewole, signed on behalf of the Institute that is improving professionalism in the essential field, as required in functions such as healthcare, finance, administration, engineering, construction, project management, procurement, IT, communications, among others.

Also, the Director-General/ Chief Executive Officer of NiNAS, Celestine Okanya, signed on behalf of Nigeria’s national accreditation body, recognised internationally to accredit conformity assessment bodies (CABs) such as laboratories (testing, medical testing, and calibration), inspection bodies, and certification bodies, in accordance with the relevant International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) series of standards and guides.

According to Oyewole, “the

purpose of MoU is to provide a framework for the parties’ cooperation in the field of accreditation and training.�

He added, “This MOU covers the relationship between NiNAS and IIM-Africa on matters of accreditation and training, in general, to strengthen quality infrastructure in Nigeria especially in Data and Information management and technology.�

He listed the areas of cooperation to include; promotion of accreditation for conformity assessment in the field of data and information protection/ privacy, data and information lifecycle management as well as technology and other implementation tools. Other areas of collaboration include planning of training on International standards and promotion of Information Management and conformity among stakeholders in the Industry. “The MoU signing happened at the right time, when we need to train data and information managers in order to assist various organisations to seize the emerging opportunities and meet the evolving challenges of managing data and information in the era of knowledge, artificial intelligence, big data, cloud computing, machine learning and internet of things (IoT).�

e-payment system

Samsung Launches New Products Nosa Alekhuogie Samsung has launched its latest innovative QLED and Crystal UHD Television Series in Lagos, along with Wind Free Air Conditioners, Side-by-Side Refrigerators and Drum Washing Machines.

The Managing Director, Samsung Electronics Nigeria, Mr. Caden Chiyeon Yu, explained that the QLED would use exceptional and revolutionary technology, which offers an unparalleled visual and auditory adventure from the

comfort of your living room.

The QLED series is available in 4K or 8K and from 58 inches to 98 inches, and was designed with options to fit any space and budget.

For the Crystal UHD Television, Yu said: “With cuttingedge Crystal Display, the new Crystal UHD TV will bring high-resolution content to life in a whole new way, delivering a viewing experience like never before in a mainstream UHD TV. It also comes with a two-year warranty as well as premium installation service

which is completely free at any location when a premium product is being bought.�

Also showcased at the launch were the new Windfree Air Conditioner, Drum Washing Machines and Side-by-Side refrigerators.

The Windfree Air Conditioner is designed specially with the latest technology to provide coolness in quick time while ensuring that users don’t experience any chills throughout its use.

It also has an in-built digital inverter which reduces energy

consumption by seventy-three percent. “The newly introduced drum washing machine of 2020 from Samsung is very efficient and is built with eco bubble technology which allows it to provide cleaning of very dirty garments or clothes without the use of water,� Yu said, adding that the new side-by-side refrigerator is built with Spacemax technology which has enabled Samsung to offer more spacious interior without increasing the external dimensions or compromising energy efficiency.

CFA Society Nigeria, Others Object to the Proposed CISIM Bill Sade Odunaiya It was recently reported that a bill to repeal and replace the Act establishing Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) effectively transmuting her to Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment Management (CISIM) is before the National Assembly again. Ordinarily, this would not have elicited concerns and may even have been applauded as the Institute, like any other, has a right to reposition her members. However, this proposed CISIM bill appears similar to the CISI bill that CIS tried unsuccessfully to enact through the 7th Assembly in 2013 and that is a cause for concern for the Capital Markets, Investment Industry and practitioners therein.

The proposed CISIM bill’s explanatory memorandum signals the intention of CIS ‘to regulate and control the professional practice in the areas of Securities and Investments business in Nigeria.’ CIS reportedly claimed the CISIM bill is to bring professionals

practicing in securities and investment business in Nigeria under one umbrella for ease of regulation, an objective that is neither desirable nor within her purview. Apparently, the proposed CISIM would be empowered to force all practitioners of Securities and Investment business in Nigeria to be her members, be the sole credentialing body, able to jail or fine otherwise qualified non-member practitioners, etc.

The powers to regulate practitioners in the Financial Markets sometimes overlap and lie principally with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) which registers Capital Market Operators who engage in Securities and Investment business in Nigeria and cannot be usurped by a private entity. Registered practitioners in the Capital Markets have diverse functions with specialized skillsets that exceed merely transacting in securities, belong to different credentialing bodies and/ or Self-Regulating Organizations. Apart from brokers, others include solicitors, reporting

accountants, rating agencies, registrars, custodians, trustees, financial market dealers, asset managers, investment advisers etc. whose members cannot be regulated and certified by the proposed CISIM but by SEC and their respective professional bodies.

The progress being recorded in the Financial Markets as spearheaded by the regulators and other stakeholders could be reversed if the proposed CISIM bill that failed to pass the 7th Assembly is left standing in its present form.

It is likely to discourage discerning investors (foreign and local) from participating in the markets, stifle specializations and plurality of functions and perspectives needed to foster further development of the market and further inhibit efficient operations of the markets, all of which are against the values that CFA Society Nigeria and other concerned industry stakeholders stand for.

CFA Society Nigeria is a member society of the CFA Institute, the body that awards the prestigious CFA charter which is considered the gold standard globally in the investment

profession. Currently there are over 178,000 CFA charter-holders globally in over 151 countries who belong to 157 member societies across the globe. Our members work across various sectors of the Nigerian economy, particularly in the Financial Services Industry and also belong to several SROS and trade groups in the Nigeria Capital Market. The Society’s mission is ‘to lead the investment profession by promoting the highest standards of ethics, education, and professional excellence for the ultimate benefit of society’.

The Society’s advocacy efforts are aimed at ensuring market integrity through fair markets, trustworthy industry, ethical profession and educated investors. She promotes investors’ rights and education and believe strongly that the long-term sustainability of the markets depends on their working for the ultimate benefit of investors.

-Odunaiya, CFA, is the Chair, Advocacy Committee, CFA Society Nigeria, and writes from Lagos

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻ, 2020

54

Eleven Propositions for Succeeding Beyond the Pandemic

SOLAR POWER USHERS IN A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR HOSPITALS AND SCHOOLS IN NORTHERN NIGERIA

Alim Abubakre

A

s Nigeria commemorates her diamond jubilee anniversary of its independence, this year’s celebration should be a little bit different from the previous ones. Instead of the commemoration being a cause for celebration, it should be a period for a re-evaluation of strategies for success beyond the pandemic. With the Nation experiencing the ‘heptilema (seven and not two as in dilemmas)’ of the high level of insecurity, low national cohesion, dramatic forex fluctuations, negative growth, dwindling government and business revenue, low morale of staff and the citizen, and diminishing productivity-This is a time for sober reflection.

Leaders need to re-examine their underlying assumptions, core beliefs, and knowledge with the intent of developing strategies for mitigating the impact of COVID 19. Most importantly, it should focus on driving inclusive growth for the Nation anchored by a vibrant and thriving private sector. So the trillion naira question for the CEOs and other decision-makers is how do I succeed in these challenging times for national prosperity.

Here are my quick suggestions for pivoting Nigeria for sustainable success post-COVID 19: Engage Stakeholders Effectively Mitigating the effects of the pandemic requires the contribution and efforts of everyone. As a savvy leader, communicate, show empathy but be honest, negotiate, and collaborate. Reach out to everyone and find ways to grow.

Stakeholders include employees, shareholders, board directors, suppliers, customers, creditors, government, and partners. All these parties are affected.

Hence, it would be best if you explored concessions, but that’s not all. While the stakeholders have a diverging interest, the critical leadership task is to align the goals of all stakeholders for success during and after the pandemic.

Provide Leadership If there is something big that people and businesses need now, it is leadership.

Therefore, mentorship or coaching your team would be a great way to survive now and beyond the pandemic. In the process, be honest, but emphasise the silver lining, for example, create some quick wins and celebrate success.

At these trying times, good leadership and connections matter the most.

Be Strategic In the short term, focus on survival, but remember to be strategic for achieving the long-term goal. More specifically, reflect your conceptual credentials on the present realities and adopt policies that reflect a cut in revenue for the next 12 months, for instance, due to customers that go bust and, for example, the second wave of COVID19.

Consider how to mitigate the future effects of reduced revenues & lowered forecasts in the short term. Possible measures to help this would be redeploying your teams, and optimising home working arrangements for staff to avoid further losses. But remember that it is a marathon and not a sprint, hence, you need to position your organisation for the future, adapting to the changes, looking for opportunities in a post-COVID-19 world and innovating for success.

Rejig Risk Management Credentials, Business Resilience Amidst the COVID 19 Pandemic, one thing has come out clearly. Many businesses are fragile and unable to manage risk effectively. This is certainly

Imagine, as a doctor, having to use the light from a mobile phone to deliver a baby at night. Or needing to inoculate children but being unable to store vaccines at sufficiently cool temperatures to maintain their efficacy.

And then consider what life would be like if, in addition to the above, an influx of Covid-19 patients arrived needing powerhungry equipment to keep them breathing.

Abubakre

a wakeup call for investment in business resilience. The focus should be on people, processes, operations, and how to respond to different scenarios.

Unlike ever before, re-building businesses resilience now is very vital for many reasons two of them are. First, the business environment is changing fast.

Secondly, the same operating environment is becoming unpredictable. Therefore, building a business that can absorb stress and thrive even in a challenging ecosystem is very vital to future survival and indeed succeed.

Develop a Sense of Urgency and Encourage a Culture of Creativity & Innovation Time is a resource that no one should waste, at least, during this time of COVID 19. Encourage everyone to develop a sense of urgency. Inspire them to be doing more with less and complete tasks faster. Also, inspire creativity & innovation through incentives such as rewarding those that come up with new business ideas and encourage experimentation.

Remember that the time to adjust operations is now. Waiting for a future that is uncertain and unpredictable is like expecting snow to fall in Abuja. So, act now and find out ways of surviving even when things get tough. Lockdowns, education closure, and restrictions might be there for quite some time, so learn to do business even in their presence.

Examine the Business Model Micro, small, medium and even large enterprises should explore if they could develop new products and services that respond to the needs of present and new customers. Reflect on Internal Resources and Capabilities. Assess your business model and try to revamp it to identify and harness scarce resources for survival in the short-term and enduring success in the long term. For example, Spotify who was able to address her dwindling revenue from advertisements by developing customised podcast contents which helped increase its revenue from Premium Subscriptions.

For those in the public sector, we have not forgotten you! At this time of recovery from the effects of the pandemic, the best way to enhance growth is to reflect on the country’s internal resources and capabilities. More precisely, the focus should be on how to use such resources differently to generate revenue. The Nation’s oil waiting to be harnessed and if developed, could be a revenue spinner for government-For example in Fintech, entertainment, outsourcing, technology and sports.

NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

In the past, Doka Rural Hospital in Kaduna, northern Nigeria, faced regular power cuts due to the intermittent energy supply from the grid. Not surprisingly, doctors found treating patients a challenge, and, because of a lack of lighting, patients were frightened to come to the hospital after dark. Today, however, life is easier. Thanks to new energy equipment installed by the Solar Nigeria Programme, funded by the European Union (EU), the hospital is embracing a brighter future, and patients suffering from Covid-19 stand a chance of receiving the treatment they need. “The Solar Nigeria project has brought a lot of gains to the hospital,� says Odede Chukwuemeka Emmanuel, the facility’s former Medical Director. “The lab is connected to power, vaccines are stored properly and we no longer rely on torchlights and candles to function. Many of the processes, including data storage, are now digitized. And the hospital receives more patients as a result of the drastic improvement in service delivery.�

The project builds on an earlier phase funded

by UKAid through the UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). Emmanuel Taiwo, the Programme Lead at the FCDO notes, “this EU-funded phase of the Solar Nigeria Programme is harnessing energy from the sun to power medical and educational facilities in northern Nigeria. Specifically, the project is designed to bring reliable and renewable energy supplies to 35 public facilities in four states including Borno, Kano, Kaduna and Adamawa States, and encompassing general and regional hospitals, schools and colleges.

Most of the facilities are already up and running or are close to completion.�

A GLUT OF SUNSHINE Northern Nigeria’s dry, tropical climate makes solar energy highly viable for powering communal facilities. In some places, the weather is sunny more than 70 per cent of the time. In such locations, solar installations can often provide a more reliable energy supply than state grids. And, for facilities without access to a grid, solar negates the need for diesel generators, which can be expensive to buy and run.

The Solar Nigeria programme aims to harness solar energy to provide a reliable and clean power source. Photovoltaic systems are being combined with batteries enabling power to be provided throughout the night as well as the day. For small-to-medium facilities, the solar technology is delivered as a modular containerized system, with panels fitted to the container powering the site directly through the day and any excess energy used to charge lithium-ion batteries within the container. These batteries then power the site through the night. The systems being fitted are very efficient as the batteries can be charged directly from the solar panels. An internet-based monitoring network enables the systems’ output to be monitored and managed remotely.

Larger sites that have a significantly higher power demand have larger solar power systems fitted. These comprise either groundmounted or roof-mounted technology coupled with state-of-the-art Tesla batteries that have a large storage capacity. As with the systems for smaller facilities, when power is required and no solar energy is available, it is drawn from the batteries.

UNDERPINNING EDUCATION In Borno’s capital, Maiduguri, pupils at the College of Nursing and Midwifery are realizing multiple benefits from their new solar system. Before the technology was introduced, all the college’s internally generated revenue was spent on maintaining generators and buying diesel. Students were often trained in darkness, and practical lessons were very limited because of the lack of power. Sometimes, exams could not be completed because of power outages.

Today, the college has power 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For the first time, teachers are able to use e-learning platforms for teaching and examining students; they can use computers to make power-point presentations and download materials from the Internet. The students’ performance has improved, as they can now study at any time of the day or night, and can easily submit assignments online. Even pupils from neighbouring schools come to read and attend practical classes. “The Solar Nigeria project has completely turned our lives around,� says Rukaya Shettima Mustapha, Provost at the college. “Prior to solar, the college had provisional accreditation due to the absence of a constant power supply. Now it is powered by the solar project, the possibility to gain full accreditation is very high. With provisional accreditation we could only train 50 students a year but with full accreditation we would be able to train 150 annually.�

STIMULATING INDUSTRY Solar Nigeria is bringing indirect benefits to northern Nigeria, too. In the state of Kaduna, its work to equip 13 healthcare facilities with solar is complementing wider efforts by the state government to encourage distributed and decentralized sources of power. Kaduna’s vision for the long term is to be energy self-sufficient; its government’s initiatives include ensuring there is at least one solarpowered primary healthcare facility in each of the state’s 255 wards; establishing a solar assembly plant; and installing solar-powered street lights.

These efforts are being channelled through Kaduna Power Supply Company. Managing Director Dolapo Popoola credits Solar Nigeria, the EU and FCDO with helping to stimulate the state’s solar energy industry.

By training site engineers in operation and maintenance, she says, the programme is helping to equip the state with individuals who are knowledgeable about modern solar technology. “The Solar Nigeria Programme has helped guide and develop the state’s own projects by bringing the state up to speed on the most updated solar technologies,� she says. “It has helped set standards and served as guidelines for other solar projects under development.�

ENHANCING LIVES This current phase of the Solar Nigeria Programme will be completed by the end of 2020. Once fully operational, the photovoltaic installations in public facilities are expected to improve the welfare of over 5,000 school and college pupils and 10,000 hospital and clinic patients. Crucially, at the present time, the equipment is supporting Nigeria’s fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, where the reported number of cases continues to grow. “In funding initiatives such as Solar Nigeria we are contributing to enhancing the welfare of thousands of people, including Covid-19 patients, reducing carbon emissions by replacing diesel with renewable energy, and contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals,� says Katrine Thomsen, Head of Section for Economic Cooperation and Energy at the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States).

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͯ˜ ͰͮͰͮ

IMAGES

55

Photo Editor ÌÓÙÎßØ ÔËÖË Email ËÌÓÙÎßØ˛ËÔËÖË̶ÞÒÓÝÎËãÖÓàÏ˛ÍÙ×

L-R: Marketing Lead Betway, Lere Awokoya; Channel Director, Africa Magix, Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu; Winner of BBNaija Season 5, Olamilekan Agbelesebioba (Laycon); Chief Executive Officer, MultiChoice Nigeria, John Ugbe and , Local Director, Betway, Chris Ubosi during the presentation of cheque to the winner of Big Brother Naija Season 5 in Lagos...recently

L-R, Minister of Finance Budget and National Planning Mrs Zainab Ahmed, Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Financial Intelligent Unit Mr Modibbo Tukur and Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission Mr Lamido Yuguda during the National Conference on Whistle Blower Policy in Nigeria held in Abuja...recently

L-R: General Manager, Ekiti State Water Cooperation, Engr. (Mrs).Toyin Agbeyo; Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and Project Supervisor, Ayo Amosun during an inspection of water reservoir project at Fajuyi, Ado Ekiti…recently

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun (right) presenting letter of appointment to Hon. Kunle Adeyemi as chairman of the State Waste Management Authority (OGWAMA) during the inauguration of 10 boards of Government agencies in the State ....recently Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri (left) and Chairman, Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Air Commodore Idongesit Ikanga (rtd), during the group’s courtesy visit to Government House, Yenagoa, recently

L-R,, Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe, representing Kwara Central;; Senator Lekan Mustapha, representing Ogun East and Senator Ibikunle Amosun, representing Ogun Central, as Senate resumes from their annual reccess in Abuja...recently julius atoi

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo SAN declares open the National Conference on Whistleblower Policy organized by the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning. in Abuja...recently

56

T H I S D AY ˾ , OCTOBER 1, 2020

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

ÜÙßÚ ÏËÞßÜÏÝ ÎÓÞÙÜ˝ ÒÓÏ×ÏÖÓÏ äÏÙÌÓ ×ËÓÖ chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com, Tel: 07010510430

2 0 2 0 I N D E P E N D E N C E D AY E D I T I O N

60 Years After, Qualitative Healthcare Still a Dream As Nigerians today commemorate 60 years of independence with mixed feelings, Martins Ifijeh x-rays the country’s healthcare system since inception, the present challenges and the road ahead

W

hen Nigeria gained independence exactly 60 years ago today, it was because it had been perceived as ripe enough to run itself, especially considering the enormous human and natural resources available to it.

It would be a no-brainer at the time to believe six decades after; the country would have become the envy of the world since it had all the ingredient for it; population, oil, agricultural and productive lands, good weather, and many more that even Britain, its colonial master, never had.

But life happened to Nigeria. It served it discords of coup and counter coup, bad leadership, policy summersault, corruption, as well as ethnic and religious divide.

Many gains made before or immediately after independence have now been rolled back in time.

Some otherwise great policies and working institutions have gradually being eroded. Institutions, including that of health and educational sector, as well as some economic establishments are still grappling to be at par with that of other nations that got their independence at about the same time Nigeria did. It is however living on the consolation that despite its diverse culture and ethnicity, it is still standing as a nation.

Singapore, Malaysia, Cyprus, among others, according to development index, have long passed Nigeria in terms of healthcare, economy, poverty alleviation, human capital development, financial inclusiveness and other several parameters that determine the strength and progress of a nation.

Decline in Healthcare A public health expert, Dr. Emmanuel Osarentin told THISDAY that one of the reasons Nigeria was still regarded as a weak country is because it has refused to come to terms that economic prosperity lies on the outcomes of healthcare and education sector of nations.

He said at the time when Nigeria gained its independence, the country could boast of relatively good healthcare such that dignitaries around western nations were coming to government established hospitals in Nigeria for treatment, and that the sector had the right tools and resources to accept foreign patients.

“Nigeria was one of the healthcare destinations of the world. Dignitaries from the United Kingdom, United States and other developed countries came to us for treatment, but as we began to edge closer to democracy, our healthcare system started to deteriorate. Healthcare establishments began to have obsolete equipment, and by extension, the country’s health indices started to wane. Since 1999 when we began democratic rule, we have not really addressed issues in our health sector.

Various national policies on health put in place since 1954 till date has not yielded results.

Poor Health Sector Funding “The kind of funding the Nigerian health sector needs to be at par with other nations has not been provided by our leaders. We have so far not been able to attract adequate government funding to this sector. Until that is done, it will be difficult to address the myriads of healthcare issues bedeviling our country. No matter what our ministers do, if funding is not available, success won’t be attained.

“Considering the enormous resources at our disposal, there is no reason why our health indices should be rated poor. We are one of the lowest as we speak. So what should we really celebrate in the health sector,” he queried.

He also mentioned that for Nigerians to be proud of the country’s health sector, government must honour the Abuja Declaration of 2001 where

President Muhammadu Buhari

member countries of the African Union, including Nigeria, agreed to dedicate 145 per cent of their annual budget to health.

High Maternal, Child Mortality A Radiologist with Graceville Hospital, Lagos, Mr. Kingsley Oragwa said if Nigeria’s maternal and child health was to be examined, the country would not be rated high.

He said Nigeria cannot confidently say it was celebrating 60 years when the lifespan of the average Nigerian male is 50 years, while that of the female is 53 years. This, according to him means any Nigerian male living above 50 years of age was living on a borrowed time; same with the women.

He said: “Comparing these indices with that of other countries, especially many African countries poorer and weaker than ours show that we shouldn’t be happy with the state we are. These are indices we should be ashamed of because it depicts how much our healthcare system has fared.”

“Most countries that got independence alongside Nigeria met the last Millennium Development Goal on maternal and child mortality. Our women are still dying in high numbers daily due to pregnancy and childbearing related complications.

We must reduce all these indices to the barest minimum before we can say our healthcare system has grown”, he lamented.

According to him, most Nigerians living in rural and hard to reach areas of the country are still grappling with having to survive without basic healthcare, which are the rights every

country must provide for its citizens, adding that, until the country give priority to primary healthcare, the issues would continue to halt the country’s progress.

Also, a food security expert in Lagos, Mr. Azeke Usiguzo said: “A country’s infant mortality rate is a reflection of the quality of health delivery available to its citizens, and to a large extent, a reflection of the quality of life enjoyed by the citizens. The government should pay more attention to our local clinics where the low class go to anytime they have health challenges – this is where majority of our women go to during pregnancies and child birth.

“If Nigeria at 60 is channeled to improving the healthcare system, I can assure you that it will be noticed by all, from the tiniest treatments like relieving headache, up to the big treatments like bone marrow transplants and the cure of other diseases.”

Deficient in Research Activities The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare gaps in Nigeria’s medical and pharmaceutical research institutions.

At the beginning of the outbreak in Nigeria, the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) and the Nigerian Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) showed willingness to spearhead researches for vaccines and drugs, but it is believed the federal government as well as philanthropists paid no attention to funding the area of healthcare because they have not been used to funding such.

This perhaps shows why the country has

continued to live with several diseases like Lassa fever and malaria, which otherwise the country could have gotten vaccines and drugs for should researches be funded.

Medical Tourism, Brain Drain On the top of the list of actions harming the health sector is the mass exodus of doctors, nurses and other health workers out of Nigeria. This has in no small means depleted the health workforce.

He said the high rate of medical tourism abroad was a pointer to how the country’s health sector was doing, adding that yearly, over $1 billion was lost to medical tourism abroad.

“What this means is that our health system is failing. We need to fix it. About 20 years ago, Turkey’s health sector was as bad as ours, but money was injected, and today, they can compete with the likes of the United States and Germany.

We should do same; inject money into the system. We need a strong primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare. If we continue to undermine medical doctors in this country, I can tell you authoritatively that in the next 10 years, we won’t have up to 10,000 doctors around because there will be brain drain, while the younger ones who intend to study medicine would rather not bother themselves over it. “ Do you know that Nigeria presently has less than 40,000 doctors practicing in the country, while over 31,000 are currently practicing in the United Kingdom, with 12 doctors getting employment in the UK weekly? This statistic shows that we have more Nigerian doctors abroad than in our own country,” he stressed.

T H I S D AY ˾ , OCTOBER 1, 2020

57

NEWS

Virtualphysio Appoints International Consultants for Virtual Physiotherapy Service Martins Ifijeh Global virtual physiotherapy service provider, Virtualphyisio, has appointed renown practitioners in different countries to provide simultaneous multiple treatment for Nigerians requiring physiotherapy.

A statement signed by the Media Consultant for the organisation, Sam Eferaro announced this shortly after signing an agreement with mobile telecoms operator, MTN, to facilitate link between patients in Nigeria and specialists in different parts of the world through short message services (SMS) to +27739898869 and other virtual platforms.

“This means that people requiring treatments for physical conditions such as stroke, arthritis, spinal pain (including neck, midthoracic, and low-back pain of neural and muscular origin), among others, now have the opportunity of being assessed by different specialists across the world just in one session and in the comfort of their homes, the statement said.

“Our consultants and frontline

practitioners standing by in Nigeria, South Africa, Florida (USA) Dublin (Ireland), Rwanda, Belgium, among others, will provide comprehensive evaluations and follow up treatment, where possible, thus saving scarce foreign exchange by reducing financial implications of overseas treatment and reduction in health tourism.

“This will also result in a reduction in hospital burden of care, unnecessary waiting time, overcrowded hospitals and clinics, consultation time, and costs of treatment.”

The statement further disclosed that the organisation has registered partner outlets in different parts of the country where patients could also be referred to continue a wide range of therapies when necessary.

“All that is required is for clients to reach us through short message services (SMS) to +27739898869 and our physiotherapists on standby in different parts of the world will attend to them through phone calls, WhatsApp, and other virtual platforms,” the statement added.

FG Commissions New Infectious Disease Centre in Abuja Onyebuchi Ezigbo ÓØ ÌßÔË The federal government has formally opened a newly constructed centre for infectious disease control located within the premises of the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja.

Speaking at the commissioning and hand over of the centre, Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire said the commissioning marked a significant step towards strengthening of the country’s capacity to manage infectious diseases and respond to outbreaks in Nigeria. e said with completion of the centre, Nigeria can now manage highly pathogenic infectious disease cases, including critical medical and laboratory

equipment.

He said the project commenced over a year ago, as part of the commitment of the federal government to provide the necessary infrastructure and resources for infectious disease management, through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control. Ehanire said with laboratory testing and case management in one location, there is much shorter time between sample collection and infection confirmation, which ensures early initiation of treatment and thus mitigate mortality during infectious disease outbreaks.

According to the minister, when the COVID-19 pandemic began at the beginning of this year, this centre was about half completed.

“I am very proud that today,

we now have an international standard centre where we can manage highly pathogenic infectious disease cases, including critical medical and laboratory equipment,” he said.

The minister said that University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada was one of the first centres that took on the challenge of managing COVID-19 cases in Nigeria. “I want to expressly commend all the health workers who have sustained the response over the past eight months, you are true heroes.

“The establishment of this purpose-built infectious disease treatment centre will go a long way towards improving our capacity to respond to all infectious diseases.

“The improvement of health

security infrastructure does not stop in the Federal Capital Territory. We are also working with other states to establish purpose-built treatment centres that will ensure we are better prepared for infectious disease outbreaks. Our goal is to have at least one standard centre like this every state”.

“I am pleased to also be commissioning two other facilities in this hospital today: the Accident and Emergency Unit which is a 32-bed unit with an intensive care unit (ICU), radiology suite, dialysis unit, fully equipped dedicated operating theatre and oxygen supply; and the Cardiology Unit with full complement of facilities for non-invasive procedures including a state-of-the-art 4D echocardiograph,” he said.

Group to Donate N150M Ultramodern A&E Ward to Kwara Govt Hammed Shittu iØ ÖÙÜÓØ A socio cultural group, Offa Metropolitan Club, Offa in Kwara State is set to donate an ultra-modern Accident and Emergency ward worth N150 million to the state government .

The facility which will be cited at the General Hospital, Offa, according to the club, would assist less privileged individuals in the area to have access to quality healthcare delivery.

In a statement issued in Ilorin recently, and signed by the club’s President and Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Finance and Economy, Dr. Sarah Alade and made available to journalists said that, the foundation laying of the project will take place at Offa General Hospital on Saturday, October 3, 2020 and will be performed by the state Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

Alade said: “The project, which is the club’s first intervention, is expected to be completed within six months. When completed, the A&E would be the first of its kind in Offa and it shall comprise of an outpatient department, a resuscitation room, patient holding bays, four consultation rooms and a triage/nurse station.

“Others include; operation theatre, procedure and plaster rooms, multiple male and female overnight stay rooms, eight toilets (four each for males and females), a waiting area for relatives and visitors, an X-ray and CT scan room, a side laboratory and pharmacy to be collocated with the reception amongst other facilities. It will also be equipped with a 250KVA transformer, 200KVA generators, a 10KVA solar power system, external lightings, central television, closed circuit television, telephone, and data facilities,” he said.

Man, 60 Urgently Needs N1.5M to Treat Urinary Disease Edo-born Vincent Ebhomene is urgently in need of N1.5 million to treat urinary retention if he must live to enjoy his old age.

Urinary retention is the body’s inability to completely empty the bladder of urine, and it is referred to as a deadly disease.

Speaking with THISDAY recently, Ebhomene, who was a security man with Niger Dock in Lagos before he was retrenched five years ago, said the urinary disease started since 2013, and that since then he had sold all he had and borrowed from friends and relations just so he could stay alive.

The 60-year-old said: “I am currently experiencing the worst form of the disease and I fear for my life every passing day. My doctor’s at the Federal Medical Centre, Ebutte-Meta said I have

a long segment urethra stricture just narrowly escaping the fossa navicular is.

“They said with a surgical procedure I will be fine. I do not have the money for it. I am calling on kind hearted Nigerians to come to my aid. I don’t want to die from this treatable disease.”

If you are touched to help, please reach him on +2349077508246. Account name: Vincent Ebhomene. Account number: 0000157574. Bank name: Union Bank

FOR A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT

Cross section of Nestle Nigeria volunteers during the commemoration of World Clean Up Day held in Badagry recently

World Heart Day: Speedy Enforcement of Tobacco Control Laws Will Save Lives, Says CAPPA Sunday Ehigiator As the global community marks the World Heart Day 2020, the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has re-echoed the need for the Nigeria to be wary of tobacco industry antics and called for a speedy enforcement of the National Tobacco Control (NTC) Act 2015 and the National Tobacco Control Regulations 2019.

CAPPA, in a signed statement by its Director of Programmes, Philip Jakpor, recently, also wants

the government to establish the Tobacco Control Fund as recommended in the NTC Act 2015 to ensure the sustainability of tobacco control policies in the country. “The World Heart Day was first launched in 2000 by the World Heart Federation. It is celebrated on September 29 of every year to draw global attention to heart illness and a range of associated health issues.

“The day is commemorated to promote different preventive steps and changes in lifestyle to avoid any cardiovascular

diseases, like heart attack, stroke, heart failure and any other condition related to the same. An estimated 17 million people die from heart-related illnesses every year.”

CAPPA said the commemoration reminds governments across the globe that they must be deliberate and strategic in regulating products that negatively affect the cardiovascular health of their citizens. CAPPA Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi added that this year’s commemoration of the

World Heart Day reinforces the need for the Nigerian government to prioritise the heart health of Nigerian citizens.

According to him, “for this to happen, it has to be alert to tobacco industry manipulations and recommendations such as the so-called Draft Policy on Conventional Tobacco and Non-Combusted Alternatives to Cigarette Smoke which will only expose more people to heart diseases, among a host of other debilitating consequences.”

Experts Seek Pragmatic Approach to Alleviate Malnutrition amidst COVID-19 There has been a rise in the incidence of malnutrition in Nigeria in the last six months due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic and also to the protocol around its control, including the interstate lockdown and directives on the restriction of movement.

Medical and Nutrition experts stated this while speaking at the Protein Challenge Webinar Series 4 which held via ZOOM on Thursday, September 24, 2020.

The webinar was themed: Protein Deficiency in a Pandemic.

Dr. Monica Omo-Irefo, a medical practitioner and principal health officer, said that the current state of malnutrition in the country is on the rise, exacerbated by the lockdown. She said: “Malnutrition results from a diet in which one or more nutrients are either insufficient, or excessive to the body’s needs, such that the diet causes health problems. With the COVID-19 pandemic and

restrictions that have been put in place to reduce the spread of the virus, there has been a decrease in access to food.”

She explained that the levels of protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) will likely continue to increase as men, women and children are vulnerable to both the coronavirus disease and nutrient deficiencies.

Dr. Omo-Irefo stated that, to remedy this condition, the amount of protein in the child’s diet must be increased. “The use of kwash-pap, a blend of soybeans, groundnuts, locust beans and pap (ogi), is an effective way to reduce the symptoms of kwashiorkor in a malnourished child”, she said.

Dr. Beatrice Oganah Ikujenyo (PhD), a seasoned nutritionist and Chief Lecturer, Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, stated that having a proper meal plan and nutrition education is crucial to lessening malnutrition.

According to her, “Nutrition education is important because knowing what foods to eat, which meal is cost-effective and healthy, is the foundation of a healthy lifestyle, especially in a country like Nigeria. Protein deficiency is prevalent in the nation because of accessibility, availability and affordability of food items, including protein sources.”

She added: “We need to go back to the days when families cultivated lands for food crops so that this will reduce the pressure on the available foods for sale in the markets. Everyone must not chase after the same food items, especially in times of scarcity, as it occurred during the pandemic.

“There are some locally available and under-exploited foods in our environment. These include soybeans, sesame seeds, locust beans, Bambara groundnuts, melon seeds, pigeon peas, and so on. Leafy green vegetables and

fruits like garden eggs, cucumber, ube, water leaves, mint leaves, spinach, shoko, ewedu are good sources of nutrients that are also beneficial to the body.”

Another panelist, Dr. Adepeju Adeniran, an experienced clinician and public health expert, stated: “We need to implement policies to ease the journey of food crops, especially protein-rich food crops, from the farmlands to the consumers. “Both animal and plant protein sources are important dietary components of food, but animal proteins take a longer time to produce, as human beings consume mostly the adult form of animal proteins.” She explained that “even dairy and eggs can only be produced by adult animals, which must have time to grow and develop. However, during the long-time factor of production, it is pragmatic to combine both animal and plant protein sources for a better diet.”

st , co sp ar se

58

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍŻËœ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Access, Sterling to Adopt HoldCo Structure Goddy Egene Access Bank Plc and Sterling Bank Plc on Tuesday announced that they have respectively received the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Approval-in-Principle to restructure their operations into a holding company (HoldCo) banking model.

Both banks disclosed this in separate statements. For Access Bank, which revealed this in a statement posted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange website, which was signed by its Company Secretary, Sunday Ekwuochi, the proposed HoldCo structure would enable it further accelerate its objectives around business diversification, improved operational efficiencies, talent retention as well as robust governance. However, Access Bank stated that further details regarding the proposed HoldCo structure would be communicated to the market in due course.

In addition, Access Bank also announced definitive agreements to bolster its market position in Mozambique as well as to enter the South African market. “This follows the recent transaction with Cavmont Bank in Zambia and further embeds the bank’s presence in the SADC region, one of Africa’s most important trading blocs.

“These transactions will result in a more connected African banking network that builds on Access Bank’s existing foundation and enhances its value proposition to stakeholders, including customers and employees. “Shareholders will benefit from the economies of scale of a larger banking network, including the associated cost efficiencies arising from the bank’s federated IT system and replication of investments in innovative products across a wider range of markets,� it stated.

According to the bank, a broader and connected Africa network remains a core strategic focus for geographic earnings growth and diversification, which would further enhance profitability and risk metrics. Through these transactions, Access Bank stated that it would be well placed to promote regional trade finance and other cross-border banking services, further leveraging its presence in key global trade corridors in the UAE, the UK, China, Lebanon and India.

Furthermore, it announces that it has received regulatory approvals to commence operations in Mozambique under the name Access Bank Mozambique, S.A. It also announced that its subsidiary, Access Bank Mozambique, has entered into a definitive agree-

ment with ABC Holdings Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlas Mara Limited to acquire African Banking Corporation (Moçambique), S.A., for cash, in a combination of definitive and contingent consideration. “This transaction will be funded from the capital invested by the bank in Access Bank Mozambique and will result in the Access Bank Mozambique becoming the seventh largest bank in the country, up from 20th.

As an enlarged business, Access Bank Mozambique will have an enhanced capacity to play a more impactful role in the growth of the Mozambican economy.� The transaction is however subject to regulatory approvals and customary conditions precedent. “Building on its strategy of delivering a robust banking operation which connects key African markets, Access Bank has entered into a definitive agreement with GroCapital Holdings to invest into Grobank Limited over two tranches. “The first is an initial cash consideration for a 49 per cent shareholding, increasing to a majority stake in the second tranche. Both tranches are subject to various regulatory approvals and the overall transaction subject to Grobank’s shareholder approvals.

Coronation Highlights Opportunities in Mutual Funds Investment Coronation Asset Management Limited has stressed the need for investors to take advantage of investment opportunities in the mutual fund market.

The Head of Research, Coronation Asset Management, Mr. Guy Czartoryski, stated this during a virtual media briefing to unveil the firm’s latest report titled: “Shifting the Appetite of Nigerian Investors: From Savings to Mutual Funds.�

According to the report, the Nigerian fund management industry currently offers levels of growth probably only exceeded in the tech sector. In fact, he pointed out that part of the industry is driven by the tech sector.

It pointed out that investors are putting a growing proportion of their savings with funds – more so than with banks – just as, almost a generation ago, they began investing with pension funds. “The fund management

industry continues to build trust even in this early stage of its development. With this in mind, we believe it needs to address two challenges. The first is risk.

Nigeria has left behind, in 2020, a 10-year period when yields on Nigerian Treasury Bills (T-bills) generally exceeded inflation, allowing fund managers to invest clients’ money in risk-free T-bills with little need for sophisticated risk management. “Banks benefited from this as the primary destination of savings, as did pension funds.

However, the fall in T-bill rates over the past year, combined with a surge in the value of Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) bonds, demands a new level of risk management, in our view. “Investment risk is rising as yields fall, and fund managers and investors need to master risk management and learn the benefits of diversifying their investments across asset classes.�

Furthermore, it pointed out that a key factor in the growth of funds globally is a wide choice of products catering to different risk appetites, and detailed performance data, noting that Nigeria’s fund management industry was not yet mature. “Nigeria’s fund management industry is undergoing remarkable growth. Total assets under management (AUM) over the four years 2015 to 2019 more than doubled in inflation-adjusted terms and were up 305 per cent in nominal terms. “The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in total AUM from 2015 to 2019 was 22% in inflation-adjusted terms and 42 per cent in nominal terms.

It would be difficult to find a Nigerian industry that matches this,� it added.

It stated that the closely-regulated pension fund administrators (PFA) have built up trust with their clients over the past decade.

EKEDC Suspends Service Reflective Tariff for Two Weeks The Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) has announced the suspension of its new tariff and reverted to the old tariff effective last Monday.

This followed the bilateral agreement reached between the organised labour unions and the federal government, in line with directive of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to Distribution Companies (Discos) to suspend the newly implemented Service Reflective Tariff (SRT), This was disclosed in a statement signed by the General Manager, Corporate Communications of the Company, Godwin

Idemudia, obtained last night.

He explained that the Disco has fully complied with the directive and has reverted to the old tariff for the said two-week window pending further directive by the electricity industry regulator.

He noted that, “our prepaid customers who purchase electricity tokens from 28th September will now have the value of their purchases reflecting the old tariff in their tokens while our postpaid customers will see the old tariff reflected in their October bill.�

Idemudia urged customers to go ahead with their previous month bill settlements, “while

we await the decision of the Federal Government on the next line of action.�

He also encouraged customers to engage the company via its customer care line, email and social media platforms, for further information and enquiries on the topic.

Idemudia concluded by wishing customers a Happy Independence Day celebration and urged them to be safety conscious and comply with all existing Covid-19 protocols as they go about their Independence anniversary celebrations and avoid electricity sites and installations.

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

JULY 2020 Money Supply (M3)

36,822,751.47

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

3,476,121.25

Money Supply (M2)

33,346,630.22

-- Quasi Money

120,764,479.02

-- Narrow Money (M1)

12,582,151.19

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,002,026.89

---- Demand Deposits

10,580,124.31

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

7,637,137.23

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

29,185,614.24

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

39,711,115.95

---- Credit to Government (Net)

19,521,851.08

---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA

0.00

---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA)

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

-130,189,264.87

--Other Assets Net

3,472,017.70

Reserve Money (Base Money

13,421,827.07

--Currency in Circulation

2,395,917.03

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

11,025,910.04 317,234.17

Ëž Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ě‹

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month Inter-Bank Call Rate

March 2018 15.16

Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR) Monetary Policy Rate (MPR)

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

Ëž Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂŁ ÙÖÓĂ?ĂŁ Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ě‹ ͯ͹Ϲ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE Ëœ Ͱ͡ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $41.46 a barrel on Tuesday, compared with $41.61 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), ZaďŹ ro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

59

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍŻËœ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

Equities Capitalisation Hits N14trn as Market Sustains Bullish Trading Goddy Egene The stock market sustained its bullish trend yesterday as buying interest in bellwethers such as Dangote Cement Plc, MTN Nigeria Communications Plc and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc drove indicators to new highs.

The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index (ASI) rose 0.83 per cent to close at 26,831.76 per cent, while market capitalisation added N116.7 billion to close

at N14.039 trillion.

In all, 20 stocks appreciated in price compared with eight stocks that depreciated. The market has remained bullish since last week as investors shifted attention to equities market following a cut in the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Market analysts had anticipated a sustenance of the positive performance in stock

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

market going forward. “We expect the market might continue to benefit as domestic investors seek alpha-yielding opportunities in the face of increasingly negative real returns in the fixed income market.

However, we advise investors to trade in only fundamentally justified stocks as the weak macro environment remains a significant headwind for listed companies,� analysts at Cordros Research said.

S E C U R I T I E S MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

In line with analysts’ expectations, the market has remained positive since the beginning of the week. The sustained bear run has reduced the year-to-date decline to 0.02 per cent.

The price gainers were led by Total Nigeria Plc with 10 per cent, trailed by Eterna Plc with 9.6 per cent. UAC of Nigeria Plc chalked up 9.4 per cent, while WAPIC Insurance Plc, Jaiz Bank Plc and Sterling Bank Plc garnered 5.7 per cent, 5.1 per cent and 4.9

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

per cent respectively.

Sterling Bank Plc recently got the approval-in principle of CBN to operate as holding company (HoldCo).

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/ CEO) of Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman, explained that the new structure to yield improved prospects for individual business growth and enhanced corporate governance, which serve to promote a

O F

consistent culture across the group and quality of service to customers, thereby facilitating sustainability of earnings. “Going into the HoldCO structure, our desire is to entrench our business model premised on impact capitalism where we believe that private sector capital and market-based tools will offer the best types of solutions to Nigeria’s most pressing social and environmental challenges,�

Suleiman stated.

2 9 / 0 9 / 2 0 2 0 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

60

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͯ˜ ͰͮͰͮ

FEATURES

Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi Email chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com, Tel: 07010510430

2 0 2 0 I N D E P E N D E N C E D AY E D I T I O N

Nigeria: 60 Years of Failing on Expectations At 60, Nigeria appears to have failed more than it has really succeeded, writes Chineme Okafor

Jaja Wachukwu, Tafawa Balewa and Princess Alexandra of Kent on October 1, 1960. Wikipedia

Princess Alexandra of Kent opening the-first parliament of Nigeria. Photo Credit, Pinterest

Major General Johnson Thomas Aguiyi Ironsi (16th Gen. Yakubu Gowon (1st of August 1966 to 29th July January 1966 to 29th July 1966) 1975)

Gen. Murtala Ramat Muhammed (29th July 1975 – the 13th Feb. 1976)

Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo (13th February 1976 – 1st October 1979)

B

in Warri in 1979 with a 100,000bd production capacity, Kaduna and a second in Eleme in the 1980s.

Collectively the NNPC had a crude oil refining portfolio of 445,000bd capacity, and they adequately met Nigeria’s domestic demands for refined products at the time; excess outputs from the refineries were reportedly exported until in the 1990s when their production began to decline while the country’s population increased.

With time, NNPC’s four refineries could not supply Nigeria the volume of petroleum products its domestic economy demanded, and the country embraced importation as an alternative. It was for no reasons other than persistent corrupt management practices in the refineries’ business, absolutely poor maintenance culture as well as systemic adoption of all-round inept processes that the four refineries failed woefully and has now totally collapsed.

To keep refined petrol flowing in her domestic economy, the country yearly import billions of litres of refined petrol, pay enormous financial subsidies to oil marketers to keep pump prices at government regulated prices and sadly ship off to foreign countries millions of jobs that local refining of oil should have given to her growing population.

Recently, the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) disclosed that between 2006 and 2015 alone, Nigeria paid out N8.9 trillion on petrol subsidy. Without a doubt, business analysts believe that such monies could have remained within Nigeria if her refineries were up and running.

The government has also reportedly spent billions of naira, recently about N276 billion

between 2015 and 2018, to repair the refineries without any results.

y most standards of socio-economic development, Nigeria has not lived up to its potentials since becoming an independent country in 1960.

In the morning of October 1, 1960, its leaders, folks and indeed the world cheered a new country with immense promises; 60 years after, Nigeria has become the world’s poverty capital.

Over the years, the country rose to become the largest black nation on earth and steadily populated most corners of the earth with its brilliant people who have notably helped other countries succeed in the task of nation building whiletheir homeland ironically continued to fail on expectations.

Expectations at Independence When the British colonial government gave up its rulership of the country in 1960, it was reportedly considered by many to be relatively ready and able to lead Africa and indeed the black race from the front. While there were talks about the country’s weak and largely undefined unity, the Prime Minister, Tafawa Balewa in his Independence Day speech delivered in Lagos, disclosed to the world that Nigeria was committed to leveraging its independence to become a responsible member to it then and in the future.

“This is a wonderful day, and it is all the more wonderful because we have awaited it with increasing impatience, compelled to watch one country after another overtaking us on the road when we had so nearly reached our goal.

“But now we have acquired our rightful status, and I feel sure that history will show

that the building of our nation proceeded at the wisest pace: it has been thorough, and Nigeria now stands well- built upon firm foundations,” Balewa said then.

But years down the line, Balewa’s claim that, “each step of our constitutional advance has been purposefully and peacefully planned with full and open consultation,” seems farfetched considering the country’s unsteady socioeconomic development.

Despite her immense natural and human resource endowments, sustained cases of poor political governance, abject poverty, pitiable electricity infrastructure, needless deaths from bad roads and ill-equipped hospitals, as well as incessant security challenges have dominated and kept Nigeria from living up to its prospects. Across its regions, states, villages and homes, citizens have grown weary and depressed of how badly the country is doing in key socioeconomic benchmarks.

World’s 11th Largest Oil Producer Heavily Relies on Imported Petrol Five years after its independence, Nigeria in 1965 built its first refinery at Alesa Eleme part of Port Harcourt, closer to most of the oil fields it earlier discovered. At the time it did, the refinery’s initial output was 38,000 barrels a day (bd) which was enough for the country to run its domestic economy. The capacity was however expanded to 60,000bd as demand and population increased.

The country entrusted the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to run the refinery as it indeed managed her hydrocarbon resources, and soon the corporation built another

80 Million Citizens Still Don’t have Electricity In her 60 years as a sovereign nation, Nigeria from available data has been unable to provide electricity to 80 million citizens. According to records obtained from the World Bank, and which are comparable with that of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), access to electricity in the country have remained extremely low with approximately 80 million people shut out from the national grid which has equally floundered on account of diversities of systemic challenges.

The World Bank in an appraisal document it prepared following its intention to support the country’s power sector with funds to invest in infrastructural upgrade, explained that Nigeria has the largest absolute electricity access deficit in sub-Saharan Africa.

The country, it stated is also the second largest in the world, after India in this regard with its national electrification rate put at 55 per cent while rural electrification rate is only 39 per cent.

Even in parts of the country wherethe national grid has gotten to, the NERC explained that supply stability is uncertain with an average of 4000 megawatts (MW) of electricity generated daily for supply to millions of connected citizens.

According to the World Bank, to achieve universal access to electricity by 2030, “Nigeria would need to connect between 500,000 to 800,000 households per year. Both grid extension and off-grid solutions will be needed to provide

61

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͯ˜ ͰͮͰͮ

2 0 2 0 I N D E P E N D E N C E D AY E D I T I O N

Alhaji Shehu Shagari (1st October 1979 – 31st December 1983)

Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (31st December 1983 – 27th August 1985)

Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (27 August 1985 – 26th August 1993)

Ernest Shonekan (26th August – 17th November 1993)

Gen. Sani Abacha (17th November 1993 - 8th June 1998)

Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (8th June 1998 – 29th May 1999)

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo (29th May 1999 – 29th May 2007)

UmaruMusaYar’Adua(29th May2007–5thMay2010)

quality services to unserved and underserved households and businesses in a timely manner.”

Even though the country has privatised its electricity sector to infuse some level of efficiency, the NERC disclosed at the end of 2019 that just about 43 per cent of citizens connected to the national grid have electricity meters, leaving 57 per cent metering gap in the sector.

In a research work, ‘the Economic Consequences of Electric Power Failures in the Greater Lagos Area,’ by Ignatius Ukpong and published in the Nigerian Journal of Economic and Social Studies, Nigeria between 1960 when it became independent and 1966, Nigeria generated and distributed to homes and offices connected to the national grid then 440.4MW and 1208.4MW by 2001, it was reported to have raised her generation capacity to 6261.70MW but mostly failing to invest in electricity generation to match her growing population.

Today, it is reported to have an installed generation capacity of 12,500MW but only able to generate and distribute an average of 4500MW to homes and offices. Her inability to provide electricity to most of her citizens is despite her abundant natural gas, hydro and solar resources.

In June, the World Bank estimated that the economic cost of Nigeria’s power shortages was around $28 billion which is equivalent to two per cent her Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The bank noted that getting access to electricity ranks as one of the major constraints for the country’s private sector, adding that its 2020 Doing Business report highlighted this and the need to improve the power sector performance.

Its Country Director for Nigeria, Shubham Chaudhuri explained that: “The lack of reliable power has stifled economic activity and private investment and job creation, which is ultimately what is needed to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty.”

World’s Poverty Capital Despite its enormous hydrocarbon resources which places it as Africa’s largest oil producer, Nigeria has continued to struggle with making its resources work for its wellbeing, and in 2018 overtook India in global poverty rate to become the world’s poverty capital.

According to data compiled by the World Poverty Clock and which were drawn from both household surveys and new projections on country economic growth from the International Monetary Funds’ (IMF) World Economic Outlook, over 105 million Nigerians

Goodluck Jonathan (6th May 2010 - 28th May 2015)

have fallen into the poverty threshold, living on less than $1.90 a day.

Researchers at the World Data Lab which produced the report, explained that becoming the world’s poverty capital means that largest number of people living in extreme poverty – 105 million, were in Nigeria. This they noted was about half of the country’s population.

Similarly, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) confirmed the country’s slide into the world’s poverty capital with its poverty and inequality report which measured data between September 2018 to October 2019.

From its research, the NBS stated that 40 per cent of Nigerians live below its poverty line of N137,430 per year. It explained that from the data, 82.9 million people of the country’s population are within the extreme poverty ring.

It stated that: In Nigeria, 40.1 per cent of the total population was classified as poor. In other words, on average, four out of 10 individuals in Nigeria has real per capita expenditures below N137,430 ($352) per year.”

The NBS also noted that 52 per cent of Nigeria’s citizens who live in rural areas live in extreme poverty, while18 per cent reside in urban centres.

In addition to its status as the world’s poverty capital, the country has also continued to record

President Muhammdu Buhari ( 29th May 2015 till date)

infant deaths albeit reports that over the past five years, infant and under-five mortality rates have remained steady at 74 and 117 deaths per 1,000 live births, respectively.

According to the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), in every 13 new-born, one Nigerian child dies before reaching age one while one in every eight do not survive to their fifth birthday.

The UNICEF explained that infant and under-five mortality rates have both declined gradually over the past 25 years, down from 126 and 213, respectively, in 1990, but that they are closely related to key socioeconomic and geographic characteristics, which suggests that the country sliding into the world’s poverty capital could affect the statistics going forward.

“Both rates decrease as household wealth index and the mother’s education level increase,” the UNICEF stated in analysis of the country’s infant, under-five and maternal mortality rate.

It added that: “A child from the poorest 20 per cent of households is twice as likely to die before their first birthday or to die before their fifth birthday than a child from the wealthiest 20 per cent of households.” This, in a way indicate that Nigeria in its 60 years as a nation has failed to create shared prosperity amongst its people.

62

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 •T H I S D AY

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 • T H I S D AY

63

64

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 •T H I S D AY

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 • T H I S D AY

65

66

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 •T H I S D AY

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 • T H I S D AY

67

68

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 •T H I S D AY

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 • T H I S D AY

69

70

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 •T H I S D AY

NIGERIA @ 60:

Charting a new course for Kwara

T

oday marks the 60th anniversary since the Union Jack — the British flag —was lowered for the greenwhite-green Nigerian National flag at the iconic ‘The Race Course’ in Lagos. It was an emotional scene for Nigerians as they reminisced about the horrors of colonial rule and imagined a future filled with great aspirations. 60 years down the line, people share varied opinions about the journey since independence.

For Kwarans, the years between 1967 when it became a state and early 2000 held so much promises in terms of peoplecentric development and commitment to the aspirations of its founding fathers. Kwara, straddled between the far north and the western region, is strategically positioned to be the centre of commerce. Its fertile lands and proximity to the international border are major incentives for growth.

But the consensus today is that the state has underachieved, with the most basic amenities lacking and its resources committed majorly into ego projects. At the heart of the problem, many argue, was a political establishment that sank public funds in self-perpetuation causes while pursuing enclave development to the detriment of the state.

The trajectories of Kwara State changed in 2019 following the success of the Otoge political movement that enthroned Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, a popular face of the voices that rejected the old order. Since coming on board, he has charted a new course for the state on all fronts.

Area Court 1 Centre Igboro Ilorin

For a start, he has focused on investments in basic education, primary healthcare, rural and urban roads, water and sanitation, gender inclusion, youths engagement, citizen engagements, and efforts designed to open up government for public scrutiny and accountability in manners consistent with the political barometer of the north-central state. As a leader, he has run a lean administration and he leads his team with his signature simplicity and tolerance for opposing views.

rehabilitated across the state. No fewer than nine water works have been fixed since the Governor came on board while contracts for more have been awarded. With water situation being tackled, Kwara is keying into the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), a key component of the Sustainable Development Goal 6 to promote hygiene and end open defecation. Under this scheme, many schools and hospitals across the state would now for the first time get tap water and pour-flush toilets.

To be sure, the state was not without infrastructural strides in education. Past administrations would readily tout the founding of the Kwara State University, the Aviation College, and the IVTEC as their major achievements. That is true. But those institutions were founded on quicksand as the basic education had totally collapsed in most part of the state. In 2019, a post examination assessment of students who sat UTME papers revealed that seven in 10 candidates from Kwara could not cope with CBT. Similarly, the West African Examination Council in the same year slapped a N30.5m fine on the state following state-wide examination malpractices which pervaded the state. Whether anchored on the available infrastructure or on the quality of teaching, a visit to any primary or secondary school in the state would reveal a collapsed system. The state last accessed the Universal Basic

The administration is ending the enclave development that had plagued Kwara’s past. Many agrarian communities are now getting standard roads, those hitherto cut off from civilisation are being linked, while at least 600 rural roads are to be fixed under the World Bank-enabled Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) arrangement for

Asa Dam Water Works

Education Commission (UBEC) counterpart funds in 2013 and there was no evidence of substantial investments in the sector from the state coffers. In 2013, Kwara came under the blacklist for mismanaging funds accessed from UBEC and ranked lowest in its assessments.

Kwara is off the UBEC blacklist. It is accessing a backlog of N7.1bn UBEC counterpart funds with a matching grant of N7.1bn to gradually reposition the schools. 31 basic schools are being renovated. Hundreds more are to be fixed. A team from the ministry of education is collaborating with some experts with a view to honing teachers’ skills while also devising strategies to end truancy and boost education outcomes. An education summit, earlier planned for March 2020, is slated to hold early next year. All the Colleges of Education that had shut down following arrears of no less than 30 months salary have resumed, while their long-lost accreditations have been restored. Same for the College of Midwifery Ilorin.

In May 2019, water tanker was the source of potable water in most parts of the capital city, even in the Government House. Pipeborne water is back and stable in Ilorin metropolis while nearly 500 boreholes have either been dug or

Disbursement of Owo Isowo to beneficiaries

71

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 • T H I S D AY

which the administration had earlier paid counterpart funds.

Road projects are spread across the senatorial districts, deliberately linking agrarian areas to the urban centres.

The health sector has received about the highest priority even before the advent of Covid-19 pandemic. The administration has started rehabilitation works across over 100 decrepit primary healthcare facilities. Long-abandoned routine immunisation and vaccination is back. For the first time, Kwara now has isolation centres equipped with modern gadgets like ventilators, defibrillators, patient monitors, and others. Its oxygen plant has been revived. For the first time, the state now has ambulances with capacities to manage patients in critical conditions on the go. The administration is building a state-of-the-art neurosurgical unit at its premier General Hospital Ilorin that would be the biggest and best in central Nigeria. Now rated an A-list state in healthcare, the administration has resumed payment of counterpart funds which now ensures free malaria care. It recently received 2.3m mosquito nets from Global Fund, a reward for its counterpart funds, and was among the first states to be supported in the World Bank-NCDC regional disease surveillance systems enhancement (REDISSE) to strengthen Nigeria’s response to COVID-19. Despite its lean resources, the administration has recently engaged more health professionals and is on the record to have paid the highest COVID-19 hazard allowance to frontline health workers after Lagos. Kwara had the worst rate of child malnutrition in the north central. In response, the government paid the ANRIN counterpart funds to access support in this regard. The administration has implemented free healthcare insurance for at least 10,000 indigents to end out-of-pocket medical expenses, while thousands more would be enrolled in the coming years.

The Kwara State Social Investment Programme (KWASSIP) is AbdulRazaq’s multi-faceted and nonpartisan response to the question of extreme poverty and government’s poor attention to the vulnerable. Under the scheme, at least 21,623 petty traders have accessed soft loans to stay afloat while over 10,000 transporters who could not work during the COVID-19 lockdown were supported. Similarly, alreadyenumerated 10,000 vulnerable and poor senior citizens, from age 60, are to get monthly stipends under what would be the state’s first ever institutionalised safety net. The scheme is also offering free digital training to young people to help them cope in the new economy. Over 3000 persons received training in July while 10,000 more are undergoing a richer version of the course in the second phase of the programme in conjunction with Wootlab Innovation and Grow With Google. A total of 30,000 young people are billed to benefit from the training within three years. Proprietors across 1,119 private schools in the state are also being offered soft loan

New Ambulances

Esie Museum Road, Ifelodun LGA The plan captures Kwara’s strategic involvement in the National Livestock Transformation Programme which seeks to guarantee food security and end the perennial clashes between herders and farmers. The administration has recently hired tractors to help in the 2020 planting season.

About 2,400 poor farmers across 60 communities benefitted from the tractor subsidy.

AbdulRazaq is redefining governance in the state. He has set the record as the first political leader in Nigeria and indeed black Africa to have 56.25% women appointees in the cabinet, making him the most gender friendly Governor.

Nearly 50 percent of his permanent secretaries are women, another first in the state, while over 60 percent of his appointees are persons between 30 and 45 years. to help cushion the effects of the COVID-19 shutdown. The federal government has hailed Kwara State’s version of the Owo Isowo (TraderMoni) for its innovative features, such as the inclusion of BVN of the beneficiaries.

Kwara’s ease of doing business ranking was poor, going by the World Bank assessment released in 2019. The administration has taken steps to steadily remedy the situation and make the state more business friendly. Steps already taken include the launch of e-Governance team to bring Kwara closer to the business community, prompt processing of certificate of ownership, aggressive reforms at the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service, and increasing adoption of electronic platforms to conduct government business. Besides, the government has recently activated public procurement agency (PPA) to ensure contract award is timely, open and easily accessible, and follows due process. The Kwara State Investment Promotion Agency (KWIPA) bill is now with the State Assembly, designed to coordinate investment proposals, facilitate contacts and negotiations with relevant authorities, and organise recruitment and identifying suitable properties. The government is also working on a digital one-stop shop to provide information on all investment opportunities, procedures and requirements, as well as allow investors to do online registration of their businesses, e-Tax registration and remittance, online land allocation inquiry, and process and receive their e-Construction permit. Add that to the recent near 100% waiver of the right of way to telecom firms to deepen broadband penetration in the state and the bill setting up Kwara State Geographic Information Service (KW-GIS) now before the lawmakers.

Transparency is key in government business. The Governor is increasingly famous for involving third parties and independents in his programmes. He recently formally invited the country’s top anti-graft agency to probe allegations of funds diversion from the local governments’ accounts under his own watch. That was a first in the country. Again, in response to public demand for more value for money, he introduced the social auditing process that allows third parties to vet government projects in the state.

That is another first, designed to check poor execution of contracts, cleanse the system, and put officials on their toes.

On Tuesday September 29, he directed that a government contractor should make refunds after they were indicted for a job not properly done in a social audit report by a civic group.

A general civil service reform is ongoing to reposition the sector for optimal service delivery, heralded by a promotion exercise and provision of good working environment to boost morale and restore professionalism. The Governor deems these steps to be very crucial to evolving the Kwara envisioned by its founding fathers — one that would compete among its peers as Nigeria faces the challenge of development in the post-COVID-19 global economy. And he feels that growth begins ultimately with fixing the shaky foundation of a state that once led the old northern Nigeria.

Development is closely tied to good planning. The administration has recently designed a soon-to-be-launched agricultural transformation plan for the state — the first of such in the north central. The Governor is also giving Ilorin a new master plan to guarantee proper development that takes care of population growth and preventive measures against natural disaster like flooding and rainstorms. The first and only Ilorin master plan was designed in 1972 by the David Bamigboye regime.

State Oxygen Plant

72

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 •T H I S D AY

73

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 • T H I S D AY

Dr. Osagie E. Ehanire

MD, FWACS

Honourable Minister of Health

The Federal Ministry of Health is charged with the responsibility of managing the overall health system of the country. The vision of the Federal Ministry of Health is to be “A WorldClass Government Institution that ensures a healthy Nigeria.” The mission is “to develop and implement policies that strengthen the national health system for effective, efficient, accessible, and affordable delivery of health services in partnership with other stakeholders.”

In the last five years of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, the Ministry has embarked on numerous programmes and projects towards achieving its vision and mission, including the Health sector next level agenda of Mr. President. Some of the key achievements within the period include: I. On August 25th, 2020, WHO certified Nigeria a polio-free country after so many years of ranking as one of the countries with the highest transmission cases of wild polio virus.

The immunization coverage for Nigeria children rose from 42% in 2014 to 67% in 2019. The Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Health flagged off a scheme to revitalise over 10,000 healthcare centers across Nigeria. Under the NPHCDA one Primary Healthcare Centre per ward policy of the government, this scheme has being pursued vigorously with the revitalization of over 3000 new primary healthcare centres across the country. This has helped the health indices of the country by bringing quality and accessible healthcare to the doorsteps of Nigerians.

II. In 2014, the National Health Act was passed by the National Assembly. One of the significant provisions of the Act is the establishment of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF), which set aside ‘at least 1%’ of the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) for the provision of healthcare to all Nigerians. However, the implementation did not start until this present administration which established the structures for the implementation of the Fund and made available the required 1% for the fund. The takeoff implantation of the BHCPF was launched by President Muhammad Buhari in January 2019. This a game changer for the health sector as it ensures availability of funding for essential primary healthcare services towards the achievement of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

III. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) was established in 2011 with the mandate to lead the preparedness, detection, and response to infectious disease outbreaks and other public health emergencies. NCDC has recorded significant results in the control of public health outbreaks such as measles, cerebrospinal meningitis, Lassa fever, ebola virus, and COVID-19 virus pandemic. The Centre has set up public health emergencies’ preparedness and response structures in all the states of the federation and Abuja to deal with emerging and future public health emergencies. The Centre has also increased the number of public health laboratories from 3 to 64 nationwide. With the outbreak of COVID-19 in Nigeria, the NCDC lead the health sector response with other relevant agencies under the directives of the Honourable Minister of Health. This has led to the successful decline of daily new cases of COVID-19 from about 780 cases during the Months of June and July, to about 100 new cases daily. In addition, the Federal Ministry of Health coordinated the development of the National Health Sector COVID 19 Pandemic Response Action Plan to harness the efforts of the

entire health sector in responding to the Pandemic going forward.

IV. Federal Ministry of Health has also invested in ongoing researches for the treatment of COVID-19 and other diseases of public health importance through our relevant agencies. Also, the government is involved in the COVID-19 vaccine solidarity trial.

V. The government has established six centres of excellence for the control and management of sickle cell disease, one in each geopolitical zone equipped with high performance chromatography and other complementary equipment and staff to serve as a hub for newborn screening.

VI. To address the prevalence of Cancers in the country, the Ministry has developed a National Strategic Plan for the prevention and control of cervical cancer and is building bunkers in 6 Cancer centres of excellence to install newly procured Brachytherapy machines.

VII. Health Insurance coverage in Nigeria has increased from less than 5% in 2015 to 20% in 2019, and this as result of the states setting up their State Social Health Insurance Scheme and drawing fund from the BHCPF. VIII. The Ministry has also made a tremendous effort in the control of fake, substandard, and adulterated drugs through efficient regulatory mechanisms by NAFDAC IX. To ensure the delivery of essential package of primary and secondary health services to displaced Nigerians in the North-East, the Ministry, through the Department of Special Project, implemented the Health and Nutrition Emergency Response in Borno State (HNERIBS) in three phases from 2017 to 2019. This programme deployed about 365 trained healthcare workers comprising of Doctors, Nurses, Community Health Extension Workers to the affected communities to tackle issues relating to the health and nutritional status of displaced Nigerians in the State. This programme ensured the provision of Laboratory services, essential medicines, and that diseases related to malnutrition were avoided.

X. In 2018, the Federal Ministry of Health with Development Partners conducted the largest HIV/AIDs health survey worldwide. This survey determines HIV incidence, prevalence, viral load suppression, CD4 cell count. It also assessed the uptake of HIV prevention, care, and treatment services and estimated the prevalence of Hepatitis B and C virus and their co-infections with HIV. This survey has defined the true HIV epidemic in the country and has helped the government to plan appropriately for the control and prevention of the disease.

XI. 22 million people are treated annually for trachoma, leading to interruption of transmission in 72 LGAs, with 9 million people no longer at risk for blinding trachoma XII. 10,753 lid surgeries conducted in 7 trachoma endemic states (Bauchi, Kaduna, Sokoto, Yobe, Jigawa, Kebbi, and Katsina) XIII. Procurement and distribution of 1,640 vials of Anti Snake Venom (ASV) to treatment center’s/health facilities across endemic States XIV. The Federal Ministry of Health gazetted the National tobacco control regulation (2019) passe by the National Assembly, giving it the comprehensive legal framework for its effective implementation.

XV. The construction and renovation of clinics and classrooms at the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Training Centre, Zaria, Kaduna State.

The Honourable Minister of State for Health, Dr. Olorunnimbe Mamora inspected and commissioned some projects at the Federal Medical Centre, Ebute

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health receiving donated consignment from Jack Ma Foundation China for COVID-19 Virus

Commissioning Infectious Disease Center at UNIABUJATH and other facilities along foundation laying of Mental health care facility by the Honourable Minister of Health

Renovated Administrative Block, National tuberculosis & leprosy training centre, saye-zaria XVI. Monthly Distribution of Contraceptive Commodities to the 36 States of the federation and FCT. This has ensured the availability of contraceptives for Family Planning service delivery at health facilities across the 36 States and the FCT. XVII. Government has standardized and harnessed the rich herbal natural resources by the establishment of a dedicated Department of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (TCAM) in the ministry.

XVIII. Collaborative distribution of Ambulances by the Japanese Government to 42 Federal Tertiary Hospitals (FTHs) in 2017;

President Muhammadu Buhari flags off scheme to revive 10,000 primary health care centres across Nigeria.

Newly Re-Constructed Burnt laboratory XIX. Partnerships with NGOs for scale up of Cervical Cancer Screening (over 40,000 screened so far in 3 States); XX. Establishment of the National Tertiary Health Institutions Standards Committee (NTHISC) in accordance with the National Health Act 2014 (2018); XXI. Establishment of the Emergency Treatment Committee (EMTC) in 2018; XXII. Gradual establishment of electronic medical systems in the FTHs for accountability in service delivery and internally generated revenue.

74

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 •T H I S D AY

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 • T H I S D AY

75

76

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 •T H I S D AY

BOA - Improving Lives, Growing Communities!

NIGERIA AT 60:

BOA’S NEW MASTER PLAN FOR STRATEGIC AGRIC FINANCING AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT The Board and Management of Bank of Agriculture (BOA) felicitates with the President and Commander In Chief of the Armed Forces of Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Mohammadu Buhari, GCFR, the National Assembly, the Honourable Minister Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Developments, Alhaji Muhammad Sabo Nanono, State Governments and Nigerians on the 60th Independence Anniversary/Diamond Jubilee celebration on Thursday, October 1, 2020.

As Nigerians celebrate this epoch event, BOA assures that it is committed to the development of the Agricultural and the micro Non-agricultural sectors of our economy to ensure food security and realization of the financial inclusion policy of Government.

The new Master Plan of the Bank is aimed at developing new and an all-inclusive financing products and services that will serve the needs of all practitioners along the agricultural value chain.

2.

3.

4.

Agricultural Research Services, Agricultural Technology and innovation, and Financial Advisory Services.

BOA’S DEVELOPMENT IMPACT Some of the highlights of BOA’s accomplishments include: 1.

Key implementing PFI of the Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP) of the Federal Government. Under this programme, BOA has disbursed the total sum of N84, 624, 124, 130 to 360, 230 farmers. From this figure, about N81, 716, 452, 625 was extended to 352, 072 ABP farmers, thus, creating 2, 759, 000 direct and indirect jobs.

2.

Fund Manager to the Federal Government’s N3.6 billion Private sector driven mechanization programme.

3.

Lending Bank for Federal Government’s N2.4 billion Cassava Bread Development Fund.

BOA IN RETROSPECT! The Bank of Agriculture as an institution was born nearly five decades ago, and has undergone various stages of rebranding/transformation administratively and structurally. Incorporated as Nigerian Agricultural Bank (NAB) in 1972, it became operational in 1973. In 1978, the name was changed to Nigerian Agricultural and Co-operative Bank (NACB) Limited, to reflect a broader mandate.

In October, 2001, following the Federal Government’s efforts to streamline the operations of its agencies, the NACB, People’s Bank of Nigeria (PBN) and the risk assets of the Family Economic Advancement Programme (FEAP) were merged to form the Nigerian Agricultural, Co-operative &Rural Development Bank (NACRDB) Limited. Ten years later, in October, 2010, the Bank was rebranded as Bank of Agriculture (BOA) Limited, to fit into its new Institutional Transformation Programme.

BOA, is Nigeria’s foremost Agricultural low Interest Financing Institution, and the key Primary Finance Institution of the Anchor Borrowers Programme of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

It has 152 outlets in all the 36 states and FCT, to “Improve Lives and Grow Communities” BOA’S CORE MANDATE • Provision of Credit to support all agricultural value chain, • Provision of non-agricultural micro credit to the poor segment of the society comprising rural artisans, petty traders, etc.

• Provision of technical support and extension services.

• Capacity development for the promotion of co-operative and agricultural information system.

• Inculcation of banking habits at the grassroots of Nigerian society.

THE NEW MASTER PLAN AND STRATEGIES In line with Bank’s Mandate, Vision and Mission, and in the quest to create a new productive environment for all the agricultural value chains, BOA shall lead Nigerians, especially those in the agricultural sector, through the path of embracing new trends in agribusinesses.

As part of its strategies in the new Master Plan the Bank shall in conjunction with third parties deploy services that will include: 1.

Agricultural Extension Services for Development,

4.

Implementing the National Sugar Master Plan (NSMP), in partnership with the National Sugar Development Council (NSCD).

5.

In partnership with the three tiers of government and Federal Ministry of Women Affairs (FMWA), the Bank disbursed and supervised over N291 million naira to 3,300 women under the Women Fund for Economic Empowerment (WOFEE).

6.

In collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade & Investment (FMIT&I) and the Nigerian Commodity Exchange (NCX), the Bank is spear-heading the establishment of the Country’s Warehouse receipts, as a pre cursor to the Nigerian Commodity Exchange.

7.

As a mark of our Corporate Social Responsibility, BOA used its machinery on the Mambilla Plateau, to assist the United Nations Commissions for Refugees (UNCR), to disburse Loans to those Nigerians that were affected by crisis in that region.

8.

In partnership with Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) like the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and Ministry of Niger Delta pioneered the disbursement of loans to selected youth and women from the Niger Delta region trained in various agricultural projects in Israel. This has helped to curb youth restiveness and unemployment as many of them today are employers of labour.

9.

The Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development created the Rice mill intervention fund with the sum of N 10,704,289,917.02 in which the Bank of Agriculture Limited served as the fund manager under a signed Memorandum of Understanding with Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development(FMARD).There are currently 10 rice mills plants of the capacity of 4 tons per hour each established in the following states: Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa, Ogun, Adamawa, Niger, Gombe, Ekiti, Bayelsa and The Federal Capital territory.

Long Live Nigeria!

Long Live Bank of Agriculture (BOA) Limited!

CORPORATE PARTNERS OF BOA

ALWAN ALI HASSAN,

For contact and further inquiries:

No. 1, Yakubu Gowon Way, Kaduna-Nigeria P.M.B. 2155, Tel: +234 7040202222, Email: info@boanig.com Website: www.boanig.com Facebook: Bank of Agriculture

Twitter: Bank of Agricng

Ag. MD/CEO, Bank of Agriculture (BOA) Limited On behalf of Board and Management, Bank of Agriculture (BOA) Limited!

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 • T H I S D AY

77

78

THURSDAY, ͹˜ ͺ͸ͺ͸ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

FG Pays N1.5tn as Electricity Subsidy in Four Years Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The federal government said yesterday that it could not continue to shoulder the burden of paying subsidy in the country’s electricity sector, noting that it had paid over N1.5 trillion to subsidise the sector in the last four years.

Speaking on the second day of the Business Day Energy Series, tagged: 'Harnessing Nigeria’s Energy Potential for the Future,' Minister of Power, Mr. Sale Mamman, explained that the yearly quantum of under-recovery paid to the Distribution Companies (Discos) as subsidy was higher than the budget on health and education combined.

The minister in the keynote address, delivered on his behalf by his Special Adviser on Policy, Mr. Abbah Aliyu, insisted that the subsidy was for the rich, noting that the over 80 million Nigerians without power supply were being short-changed by wealthy Nigerians.

He said: “It's pertinent to say that the federal government has paid over N1.5 trillion subsidising the power sector since 2015.

This amounts to a monthly spending of N12 billion.

“This subsidy cost was also N165 billion in 2015 and suddenly it increased to N548 billion in 2019 and the performance of the Discos keeps fluctuating and if we continue with this subsidy payment, more payment will become crystallised as there will be more Disco retention due to the infrastructure challenges in the sector.

“If you look at the quantum of this subsidy, it's higher than the budget of the ministries of education and health combined. How can we continue subsidising with this amount of money when we have all these challenges being faced in other sectors?”

The minister added that people enjoying the subsidy were the rich, noting that though the consumers are not averse to paying more,

saying they have always insisted that service should be commensurate.

On metering, he said: “What the minister is doing is to develop a national metering policy that will provide an overarching direction to how metering should be administered in the country.

“Work has already begun and very soon the minister will come up with the national metering policy.

There are also discussions around the service-based tariff introduced by the regulator.”

In his remarks, the Commissioner in charge of Legal, Licensing and Compliance, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Mr. Dafe Akpeneye, said although the sector has not totally collapsed yet, the books of the power distributors are in the red.

He posited that the lack of liquidity in the sector was scaring investors, explaining that Discos' collections, as currently obtains cannot pay for their obligations to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Generation Companies (Gencos) and gas suppliers.

He said: “I wouldn't describe the sector as being in a state of insolvency, so, we don't have an insolvent sector. But we have a sector that is dealing with severe liquidity challenges.

“And the liquidity challenges stem from the fact that the downstream collections are not enough to satisfy the cascading upstream obligations.

“Meaning that what the Discos collect from customers is not enough to pay TCN for wheeling power, the Gencos for generating power and the gas providers, because most of our generation is thermal.

“And you now look at the payment that goes to the other service providers along the line. Now, why do we have this liquidity challenge with a mismatch of the downstream commitments matching upstream obligations?

“It simply stems from the

FG Clears Emirates to Resume Flight Operations in Nigeria Chinedu Eze in Lagos and Kasim Sumaina in Abuja Following an agreement between the United Arabs Emirates (UAE), and the Nigerian government, the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, has announced plan to lift the ban placed on Emirates Airlines from operating into and out of the country.

According to Sirika, the commencement of the airline’s operations would, however, depend on the commencement of visa issuance to Nigerians

by the UAE. “UAE has written to state that they agree to issue visas to Nigerians, consequently decision has been reached to allow Emirates to fly into Nigeria. Commencement of the Visa issuance is condition precedent. Please bear with this unusual situation,” Sirika said.

The minister said he appreciated the understanding of all those who have been negatively affected by the recent policy decisions, which Continued on page 79

fact that tariffs are not cost reflective and it has become a serious policy issue. At the time that we did privatisation, one of the key elements was that government would pay its bills and also allow the Discos to charge a costreflective tariff which allows the utility operate efficiently.”

He said that not allowing the power distributors do that had led to unsustainable

interventions from the federal government.

He explained: “Government has had to intervene with different subsidies to address the issue. They have come in form of addressing Discos’ immediate losses under the NESP N213 billion funding.

Then we also have the different Gencos’ assurance.

“The first was N702 billion and the next one was from

CBN was another N600 billion because what the customer pays isn't enough and someone is meeting the shortage.

“With regards to the issue of liquidity, we need to have a cost-reflective tariff like we did in September and now location based tariff which is the service-based regime which takes into cognisance current supply.

“The Discos' now have their books in the red whereby they are carrying significant shortfalls in their books. The second leg is that we are looking at the government side to transfer the liabilities to another government agency to put everybody back into the black so that there will be significant interest in the sector.”

DISCUSSING STATE OF THE NATION… Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha (left), and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) during a virtual Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja…yesterday

FRC Warns Banks against Giving Unapproved Loans to States Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt The Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) has warned that it would invoke drastic measures against commercial banks that give loans to states and other sub-national bodies without its approval.

The acting Chairman of the FRC, Mr. Victor Muruako, gave the warning in Port Harcourt yesterday at a oneday zonal retreat on Policy Framework for Strengthening Fiscal Transparency, Prudence and Accountability at the Sub-national Levels.

He said the commission was alarmed at the level of recklessness in borrowing and spending of scarce resources by states and other sub-national bodies and was determined to instill some sanity into the system.

“Our searchlight will henceforth be on the commercial banks that grant loans carelessly to some sub-national governments without approval from the commission as required by the Fiscal Responsibility Act,

2007. Such loans henceforth must follow due process or the commission will have no option than to invoke the provisions of the law against the erring entity,” he said.

He expressed dismay that since the Fiscal Responsibility Act was enacted in 2007, government at all levels had not obeyed its provisions.

“The coming into force of the FRA on July 30, 2007 and the subsequent inauguration of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) in 2009, therefore crystalised the reform-oriented disposition of Nigeria’s post-military era, marked by a stated commitment to ending the culture of profligacy on irresponsibility in the management of public finances that had held sway for so long. The new fiscal regime had to be rules-based, rather than discretionary; transparent rather than opaque; accountable rather than reckless,” he stated.

He said the experience of the commission in the last 11 years had shown that much more than strong laws are

needed if the nation would effectively break with the past habit of financial profligacy.

“The FRC in line with its mandate has continued its role of monitoring and enforcing the implementation of the FRA, 2007 by the Federal Government and its agencies and corporations.

The Commission is currently developing a framework for more effective collaboration with the civil society organizations, the media and professional bodies in the achievement of our mandate,” he said.

He said the retreat was put together with support from Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and OXFAM to rub minds with States of the Federation with a view to assisting them put up fiscal responsibility structures and or strengthen existing ones.

In his opening remarks, the Executive Director of CISLAC, Mr. Auwal Ibrahim Musa, noted that Nigeria’s fiscal regime has been marred with lots of issues, especially financial imprudence and

malpractices by public institutions, both at Federal and Sub-national levels; the unbridled borrowing culture at all levels of government as well as incapacity of the regulator to use the big hammer of sanction to defaulters.

“There are allegations on one hand and the other hand clear evidence of abuse of public offices and misappropriation of public funds by public office holders if you permit me, I will address this as Inappropriate Financial Flows (IFF) has been going on for too long and is almost becoming the order of the day. Year on year the Auditor General’s report reveals on an incremental basis number of; public’ institutions that refuse to submit audited reports to the office.

“The Fiscal Responsibility commission has in one way or the other a mandate to curb these menace that is not giving us the desired result in the acclaimed fight against corruption in Nigeria,” he said.

79

THURSDAY, ͹˜ ͺ͸ͺ͸ ˾ T H I S D AY

PAGE SEVENTY-NINE

IG Directs 24-hour Nationwide Surveillance

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu, yesterday ordered increased surveillance and security deployments across the country to forestall any breach of the peace and ensure hitch-free 60th independence

anniversary celebrations.

In a statement issued by the Force Headquarters, the IG directed Commissioners of Police and their supervisory Assistant Inspectors-General of Police to ensure the safety and security of the public space in their various areas of responsibility.

"The strategic officers will strengthen the visibility policing structure and carryout confidence building patrols particularly around residential areas, major highways and government/private infrastructure to prevent and arrest any untoward situation," it said.

The IG enjoined citizens to go about the celebrations without any fear or apprehension noting that the police chiefs across the 36 states would strengthen the visibility policing structure and carry-out confidence building patrols particularly around residential areas, major

highways and government/ private infrastructure to prevent/arrest any untoward situation.

The IG, on behalf of the management team and the entire personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, also congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari and

Nigerians at large on the nation’s independence anniversary.

He enjoined Nigerians to continue their support to the Police and other security agencies in their efforts at ensuring peaceful coexistence, public safety, public order and public security.

Fiscal Responsibility Act of three per cent and also to report that the total capital expenditure that is projected in the budget is 29 per cent of the aggregate expenditure.

"This is an improvement over the 24 per cent that we had in the 2020 budget, but slightly below the 30 per cent that we targeted in the economic recovery.

Just to clarify that the 1.86 million barrels per day crude oil production includes 400,000 barrels per day of condensates. So, we have complied with the OPEC (Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries) quota, which is placed at about 1.5 million barrels per day. So, the 1.46 million barrels per day is in meeting with the OPEC quota.

"This is important to us because as you report, if you just report the 1.86 million barrels per day, some members of the OPEC appear to think that we are exceeding OPEC quota, whereas we are reporting oil and condensate," she said.

The minister said before

presenting the proposal to the council, she first presented the performance of the 2020 budget, which she put at 68 per cent, adding that the performance of the recurrent expenditure is 92.3 per cent.

"Just briefly, the performance of the Federal Government of Nigeria budget as at July, for revenue, was 68 per cent.

We had a 68 per cent revenue performance prorated to July. The performance of expenditure, on the other hand, was 92.3 per cent and that is to say salaries were fully paid; pensions were paid; debt service was made, as well as transfers classified as statutory."

She added: "In presenting the budget 2020, we had to report to council some slight changes that need to be made on (Medium Term Expenditure Framework) MTEF 2021-2023, which has since July been sent to the National Assembly by Mr. President. "Specifically, the exchange rate is going to be changed from N360 that

we initially presented and submitted to council and to the National Assembly, up to N379. The reason why this is happening is due to the exchange rate movement that the CBN has put in place."

Asked if the projected GDP growth rate of three per cent was not rather too ambitious, the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Mr. Clement Agba, said: "You talked about the growth rate to be very ambitious, first, we have to use modern approach and this is done by (National Bureau of Statistics) NBS. When you consider the economic sustainability plan which is also going to run for another six months next year, remember we have the N2.3 trillion stimuli (package).

"The economy too has also now been opened. The lockdowns have been lifted; economic activities have picked up and we have also selected some sectors in the economy that we are putting in a lot of money that will create activities and hence, the multiplier effect of it."

told journalists yesterday in Minna that embarking on such a voyage will be an exercise in futility.

"You see, the issue of nation-building takes time. It's not a matter of the conference. You put another conference, what are you going to discuss that hasn't been discussed. If you look into the archives, there are a lot of things that were discussed and recommendations made,

how many of these recommendations have been implemented?

"And if we sit down again and start talking all over again, how long will it take us? To me, I think the government, our parliamentarian, our legislators, would do us a world of good if we go back to the archives and sieve these recommendations that have been discussed and recommended and

implement them."

In his message, Lawan said: "While we celebrate the Diamond Jubilee Anniversary of our country as a sovereign nation, the occasion is also auspicious for a sober reflection on the progress that we have made, the challenges that we face and the future that we desire as a nation."

APC governors under the

Kenneth Eze, Tiwa Savage, Flavour, Lanre Da Silva, Tania Omotayo, Davido, Tiffany Amber, Yemi Alade, Tuface, Lisa Folawiyo, Sani Danja, Dare Art-Alade, Deola Sagoe, Odio Mimonet and Burna Boy. However, to complete the occasion, goodwill

messages are expected from governments and noted global bodies all over the world, including but not limited to Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, Ghana, European Union, France, Germany, United States and the United Kingdom.

FEC PROPOSES N13.08TN SPENDING ESTIMATES FOR 2021 Domestic Product (GDP) growth of three per cent and 11.95 per cent inflation rate.

The minister, who said the budget would run on N4.48 trillion deficit, put the revenue target in the fiscal year at N7.9 trillion, adding that unlike the previous proposals which only accommodated 10 government enterprises, the 2021 budget comprises the budgets of 60 government enterprises.

She said all the government enterprises, only the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) were left out of the budget because they are independent government enterprises.

The minister also said government's design in the budget is to achieve inclusive growth and key objectives of the government such as creating jobs, stimulating the economy and boosting manufacturing, among others.

Ahmed said the government is optimistic

that the Nigerian economy would recover in early 2021.

According to her, the budget deficit of 4.489 trillion represents 3.64 percent which she said was slightly above the provision in the Fiscal Responsibility Act. "The total budget proposal that is made for 2021 is to enable us to attain a more inclusive growth and also to achieve the key objectives of government, which include stimulating the economy, creating jobs, enhancing growth and creating infrastructural investment, also promoting manufacturing and local production.

"The budget assumptions that were presented to council today include: Crude oil price benchmark at $40 per barrel; oil production at 1.86 million barrels per day; exchange rate of N379 to $1, GDP growth target of three per cent and inflation rate of 11.95 per cent.

"We do expect that Nigeria's economy will recover to the path of growth early in 2021. So, the total

aggregate revenue that is projected for the 2021 budget is N7.89 trillion and what is unique about the 2021 budget is that we have brought in the budgets of 60 government-owned enterprises. If you recall, in 2020, we brought in 10.

Now, we have brought in 60.

"These 60 exclude NNPC and the Central Bank and the reason being that NNPC, a national oil company and international national oil companies are not included in the national budget. Also, the CBN is an autonomous body. Only those two are excluded.

Sixty government-owned enterprises are included. That is to say their revenues and all categories of expenditure are now integrated in the budget.

"We have total aggregate revenue of N7.89 trillion and also an aggregate expenditure of N13.08 trillion for 2021. There's a fiscal deficit of N4.489 trillion. This represents 3.64 per cent slightly above what is required by the

QUEEN ELIZABETH, ABDULSALAMI, JONATHAN, LAWAN, GOVS SALUTE NIGERIANS AT 60 as he charged them to be purposeful in playing their own role towards making the country great.

He noted that the journey of Nigeria has been that of mixed fortunes, adding that it requires the commitment of all citizens to build a strong and prosperous nation.

He said: “Like many other great nations, our journey has been that of mixed fortunes. Our nation has been through periods of progress

and times of setbacks. We have experienced eras of strength, unity and faith as well as seasons of weakness, trials and despair. Despite these challenges, we have remained as one, and nurtured our democracy to 21 unbroken years.

“I, therefore, urge us to make investments that will shore up the democratic gains and work towards building strong and virile institutions. We need to

harness the greatness that lies within our diversity and the strength of our population, to recreate and build the Nigeria we desire.

We must de-emphasize our fault lines and concentrate on the silver lining within our lands.”

While some Nigerians are calling for the convocation of another constitutional conference to chart the way forward for the country, Abdulsalami, in his message,

Continued on page 80

THISDAY ARISE GROUP CELEBRATES NIGERIA @60 TODAY Abubakar II; Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Dr. Bukola Saraki, Chief Herbert Wigwe, Governor Mai Mala Buni, Mr. Olusegun Agbaje, Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu, Chief Atedo Peterside, Governor Aminu Tambuwal, Mr. Anthony Joshua, Governor Nasir

el-Rufai, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, Mr. Tony Elumelu, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, and Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II. Also, to address the global audience are Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Mr. Peter Obi, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Ms. Amina Mohammed,

Chief Michael Adenuga, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, Chief Geoffrey Onyeama, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Mr. Benedict Oramah, Mr. Jim Ovia, Malam Mele Kyari, and Prof. Ibrahim Gambari.

Some of the music and fashion icons to perform at intervals include Wizkid,

FG CLEARS EMIRATES TO RESUME FLIGHT OPERATIONS IN NIGERIA barred some airlines from operating into the country when Nigeria reopened its airspace to international flights.

The Director, Public Affairs, Ministry of Aviation, Mr. James Odaudu, explained in a statement issued yesterday that the decisions were taken to protect the interests of the nation and its citizens who deserve to be treated with respect

and dignity - the same way Nigeria treats other nationals.

Emirates Airlines was initially given approval to operate into the country, but the approval was withdrawn following the inability of Nigerians to obtain/use valid tourist visas to enter the UAE. Meanwhile, South Africa has also lifted ban on air travel from travellers from African countries.

President of South Africa, Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa said the ban was lifted to facilitate free movements of people, goods and services from South Africa and the African continent, noting that travellers from the neighbouring countries are allowed to visit the country.

“Travellers from all African countries are allowed and must possess relevant travel documents,

and will also be screened for COVID-19 symptoms.

“To allow ease of travel from the African countries, 18 borders will be opened.

35 border posts will continue to offer restricted services due to insufficient capacity for screening, testing and quarantine.

Travellers who present themselves at borders, which are unable to accommodate them will be directed to the currently

operational border posts for processing,” the President said in an address.

The President said three airports would be opened and operational for international air travel.

These airports are OR Tambo International (in Johannesburg, Gauteng), Cape Town International (in Cape Town, Western Cape) and King Shaka International in (Durban, KwaZulu-Natal).

TOP GAINERS NGN NGN % TOTAL 8.80 96.80 10 ETERNA 0.24 2.74 9.6 UACN 0.60 6.95 9.4 WAPIC 0.02 0.37 5.7 JAIZBANK 0.03 0.61 5.1 TOP LOSERS NGN % UPL 0.09 1.24 6.7 NIGBREW 3.55 49.00 6.7 PZCUSSONS 0.25 4.25 5.8 WEMABANK 0.03 0.54 5.2 UNIONBANK 0.15 5.00 2.9 HPE Nestle Nig Plc ₦1,175.00 Volume: 322.773 million shares Value: N4.039 billion Deals: 4,046 As at yesterday 30/9/2020 See details on Page 59

80

THURSDAY, ͹˜ ͺ͸ͺ͸ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Again, ASUU Vows Not to Call off Strike Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), yesterday vowed that it was not ready to suspend its ongoing strike until the federal government pays the outstanding standing salaries of between three and seven months owed their members and also approve the University Transparency and Accountability Solutions (UTAS), among other demands.

The union in a statement issued yesterday by the Zonal Coordinator of the Ibadan Zone, Prof. Ade Adejumo, berated the

Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, for stating on a live TV programme in Lagos that government do not owe the lecturers any salary.

He said federal government agencies have been foot-dragging on early resolution of the ongoing strike anchored on implementation of outstanding components of 2009 FG-ASUU agreement, revitalisation funding of universities, unpaid earned academic allowances and renegotiation of the agreement for upward review of salaries of lecturers to conform with

contemporary reality.

Adejumo maintained that post-colonial Nigerian governments’ attack on the education sector contributed to the under development of the nation, adding that this is why the government has become a shadow of itself.

According to him, "it should be noted that ASUU went on strike as a result of the combination of three inter-related factors: Nigerian governments’ increasing anti-labour policies and the history of sabotage in the education sector and the government’s refusal to honour the agreement reached with the

union for revitalisation of public sector universities."

He added that ASUU is particularly disappointed because the union assumed that government’s public outlook was based on the anti-corruption constantly orchestrated by the present administration.

He berated President Muhammad Buhari-led government for being insensitive to education and inhuman treatment of lecturers and the knowledge industry.

"We are pained and disturbed that the honourable minister of labour and employment does

not seem to be aware that the salaries of the nation’s academic staff in the public universities have not been paid for upward of three to seven months "For the benefit of Nigerians, ASUU wishes to state that in sharp contrast to President Buhari’s directive on University Transparency and Accountability Solutions (UTAS), the respective government agencies involved are deliberately delaying its endorsement for implementation. The ministries involved may wish to know that the inhuman treatment that ASUU is being subjected to has further

emboldened us to rescue the soul of Nigeria’s public university education. " The ASUU boss stated further that the ongoing strike will not be called off until government proactively responds to the demands of the union and make knowledge industry a priority.

"Hence, government and the ministries involved need to do the needful, i.e. meet with ASUU in order for academic activities to resume. The starting point for this is the payment of withheld salaries of academics in Nigeria’s public universities", he stated.

environment. The government is trying but it needs to do much more.

“Moreover, we have to come together and forget about our ethnic and religious divides. We are one. People do not travel much in the past like now,” Lere said.

Also, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Maxifund Securities Limited, Mr. Okechukwu Unegbu, expressed dissatisfaction that the country’s economy has not grown fully after 60 years of independence and called on the government to re-orient the education sector for enhanced human capital development, especially in the area of technical skills.

“We should re-orient our schools to make them centres of skill acquisition. Goggle and Microsoft do not need your degree to employ you.

They look for your technical ability and skill.

“Moreover, our environment is hostile for good businesses. It is my candid opinion that government would not grow the economy successfully by increasing taxes. This could only be done by reducing taxes so that people will have money to do business and employ more people while the government would be getting more revenue from taxing more people and businesses because it is a matter of volume transaction.

But high taxation might lead to business contraction and retrenchment of workers.”

In her contribution, a former President of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN), Mrs. Bunmi Oke, urged government to adopt the strategy that Rwanda adopted whereby the country was able to rebrand its image from “a war-torn country,” and is now being celebrated as a tourist attraction.

Oke also called on the current administration to develop a road map for Nigeria as she moves into another phase of her development to generate positive news and create inroads to seamless repositioning.

The President of AAAN, Mr. Steve Babaeko, aptly captured the scenario by quoting Chinua Achebe, who once opined; “If you don’t like my story write your own,” “Truth is that as beleaguered as Nigeria is, it’s still one of the countries with the most potential in the

world. The vibrancy of our culture which is fast becoming mainstream global especially in the areas of music, films, cuisine, and fashion can be explored. These are pillars we can package to change the narrative,” Babaeko said.

According to him, for every dishonest Nigerian out there, there are a thousand pushing the boundaries and excelling in different fields of human endeavour: Business, medicine, tech and academic.

“The western media will never cease projecting the negative narrative about Nigeria but the onus is on us as a people to change the narrative and tell in the most eloquent way possible, the story of our people doing the country and the world proud,” he added.

Another top Advertising practitioner and President, Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN), Emmanuel Ajufo, admitted that the need for effective perception management cannot be overemphasised in Nigeria at this point in the country’s national development.

While calling on all the stakeholders in the Nigeria project to work on the country’s image from many angles simultaneously, Ajufo emphasised the essential of revisiting the country’s core values as they were in the past years and the need for the media to play its role well.

To the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of the Mid-Century Agro Allied Ventures Limited, Mr. Raymond Isiadinso, the Nigerian economy is suffering from policy instability and security challenges.

Isiadinso said agriculture was being threatened by insecurity and warned that the country could be doomed if the agriculture sector collapses.

“I will want the government to through its fiat and authority to create an enabling environment for agriculture to thrive.

Once agriculture grows, the economy will boom. The way to create the enabling environment is to stop the insecurity by enacting laws (to address cattle grazing) that agricultural practitioners will see as government’s support to step out to practice their farming career. The government is the only institution that can stop the insecurity being suffered by farmers from herdsmen,” he said.

QUEEN ELIZABETH, ABDULSALAMI, JONATHAN, LAWAN, GOVS SALUTE NIGERIANS AT 60 aegis of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF) commended Nigerian people for their resilience and faith in a united democratic Nigeria, saying 60 years of independence and nationhood were years with moments of rasping experiences.

The governors said emerging as a stable democracy, the growing confidence of Nigerians to the country's fledging democratic system of governance is indisputable.

The Chairman of the Forum Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State, in a statement issued yesterday, reaffirmed APC governors’ commitment to the principles that democratic governance should lead to improved welfare for the mass of the citizens.

He said: "We in particular commend and congratulate the Nigerian people for their resilience and faith in a united democratic Nigeria.

Sixty years of independence and nationhood were years with moments of rasping experiences. Coming out of these years as a united country gives us all the reasons for celebration, most especially because we are today emerging as a stable democracy having been in our Fourth Republic for 20 years now with six successful general elections.”

EU Urges Unity among Nigerians The European Union Delegation in Nigeria has called on Nigerians to build on things that unite rather than divide the country in spite of diverse cultures and religions.

The Head of the EU Delegation in Nigeria, Ambassador Ketil Karlsen, gave the advice in a broadcast in Abuja to celebrate Nigeria’s 60th independence.

He said the EU was proud that Nigeria has remained united in spite of its diversity.

“The amazing and rich diversity of Nigeria in terms of culture, language, religion and ethnicity is simply unique, and a vital strength that should make every Nigerian proud,” Karlsen said.

He charged Nigerians to always focus on what unites the country rather than what keeps it apart, noting that togetherness is what defines the potential of Nigeria as a nation.

The envoy said although Nigeria still faced a number

of challenges, the important achievements recorded in the last 60 years should not be taken for granted.

He said the uninterrupted democratic rule for more than 20 years is worth celebrating too, but must be nourished as the country starts the journey of the next 60 years and beyond.

OPS, Others Outline Strategies for Nigeria’s Economic Recovery The Organised Private Sector (OPS) comprising Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN); Nigerian Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA); Nigerian Association of Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA); the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), and some CEOs have outlined strategies to tackle Nigeria’s economic woes.

In their separate interviews with THISDAY, these various bodies and other CEOs lamented that despite many policies by the various administrations that had ruled the country, the economy has remained comatose.

NACCIMA’s DirectorGeneral, Ambassador Ayoola Olukanni, described the state of the manufacturing sector in Nigeria as very unfortunate, saying that “over the last 60 years the performance of is unfortunately not cheering.”

He told THISDAY that in the 1960s, the sector was doing well because of the support from the agricultural sector from which it got raw materials such as cotton, rubber, cocoa among others, adding these led to the flourishing textiles industries in the north.

“But today, the situation is no more because of weak infrastructure, especially electricity,” he said.

The Director-General of LCCI, Mr. Muda Yusuf, lamented that “despite the numerous policies and measures that have been articulated by successive governments, manufacturing contribution to GDP remains less than 10 per cent on average over this period.

He argued that the sector has remained largely import dependent, which has made it very vulnerable to external shocks.

He said that this feature is also factor on the weak competitiveness of the sector

as many manufacturing firms have low local value addition, weak backward integration, inadequate forward integration, and low job creation potentials.

According to him, “All of these weakened the impact of the sector on the economy and the development process.”

Also speaking on the issue, the Director-General of NECA Mr. Timothy Olawale said: “The industrial development of the country over the last 60 years could be described as still operating in infancy, as its contribution towards the Gross Domestic Products (GDP) still hovers around four per cent, when compared to its contemporaries in emerging economies, which recorded around 40 -50 per cent.”

He said that “one of the challenging factors to the sector, despite its huge potentials to create wealth and generate employment, is inconsistency or policy somersault. Its contribution when compared with other sectors like retail, wholesale trade, crude petroleum and natural gas, services and agriculture, were still far less, despite increased macroeconomic stability and slightly improved business environment over the years.”

Acting Director-General of MAN, Mr. Ambrose Oruche, said: “As a matter of fact, a thriving real sector must be able to rely on consistency, predictability, and sustainability of Government policies. Policy inconsistency and reversals are major constraints to industrialization in Nigeria.

Policy reversals create obstacles to the growth of existing firms and new startups. Sometimes, incentives provided for industries are terminated before the beneficiaries mobilise to take advantage of such policies and, at other times, mid-way in the expected life span of such policies.”

He said the establishment of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) with the mandate to improve the Ease of Doing Business (EOBD) in the country no doubt had the potential to improve the performance of the manufacturing sector.

On the way forward, OPS suggested that the systemic issues of infrastructure should be addressed as a matter of utmost priority, with immediate focus on

electricity supply and logistics, adding that unless “we have these two critical infrastructure in place, it will be very difficult to ensure a competitive industrial sector and to make possible the transformation of the sector.

“There is a need to focus on labour-intensive industries to enhance job creation and promote economic inclusion, ensure that there is adequate investment in core industries such as Iron and steel and petrochemical. Nigeria should take full advantage of the large Nigerian market to scale up our industrial capacity utilisation.”.

Meanwhile, some chief executive officers (CEOs) have reiterated the need for policymakers in the country to focus on policies that would positively affect the standard of living of its citizens.

The CEO of Afri-Bond Nigeria Limited based in Kaduna, Mr. Mohammad Lere, told THISDAY that the country has not enjoyed much stability due to the coups and counter coups that had characterised the country’s governance until 1999.

Lere, who is also the President of the NigeriaEgypt Business Council, added that even in the present democratic era, the economic environment has not been stable due to policy inconsistencies and corruption, which the present government is fighting.

He also pointed out that the way forward is to encourage local production in order to diversify the economy from oil and the creation of secured and conducive environment for investments.

“But the good news is that currently the government is creating opportunities for domestic production for the things like food that we had been importing.

The solution going forward is for people to look inward to see how we can enhance our local production. And the government has to provide real support on how we can enhance our local production.

“Another important thing is that the government needs to intensify its effort in confronting the security challenges facing the country.

Because there will not be investment, stability if there is no security. People are afraid to go to farms. People are afraid to travel on the road.

Some foreigners are afraid to come to Nigeria. You cannot do business in an unsecured

81

THURSDAY, ͚˜ ͺ͸ͺ͸ Ëž T H I S D AY

PERSPECTIVE

Nigeria at 60: Towards the Land of Our Dreams Babajide Sanwo-Olu Nigeria is 60- despite all that she has been through as a nation. For some, it is a time to hit the street in colorful dresses for a carnival to exhibit what many a critic have described as our proclivity for flamboyance.

To others, it is a time to get on our knees, thank The Almighty for bringing us this far as a united nation and, thereafter, reflect on our tortuous journey to adulthood.

How have we fared? Have we disappointed our forefathers? Are we more purposeful as we were at Independence? Are our youths happy? Are the elders smiling? What is the state of our infrastructure? Are we proud of our democracy? Is the world leaving us behind? How long will our teething problems last? When will our security challenges abate?

When are we going to fully recover from the terrible effects of COVID-19 that has dealt our world a lethal blow? These are some of the many questions on my mind as I reflected on Nigeria’s Diamond Anniversary.

It all began here at the old Race Course, Tafawa Balewa Square on that rainy October 1, 1960 morning. Lagos served as the cradle of our sovereignty and the capital of Nigeria as a protectorate, then a republic (from 1914 to 1991). The unique topography of Lagos - its islands, sandbars and lagoons; our heterogeneous nature as a town that is the melting pot of cultures – has positioned our state for its leadership role in the economic, political, social and cultural development of our great country. What originated as a fishing village on an island has metamorphosed into a thriving seaport and megacity.

Lagos is no longer the nation’s political capital, but it is undoubtedly its business and financial engine-room. Indeed, it is West Africa’s commercial nerve centre.

Lagos contributes 30% of Nigeria’s GDP and holds no less than 80% of the country’s industrial capacity. This is quite remarkable, considering the fact that Lagos is home to 10% of Nigeria’s 200 million+ population on a landmass representing less than 1% of our great Nation.

Realising early that long-term investment in critical infrastructure is an intrinsic part of economic development, Lagos pioneered many key projects, such as the early rail transit system, which yielded a corresponding growth in urbanization along the line of the railway on which towns, such as Ebute-Metta, Yaba, Surulere, Ijora, Ikeja and Agege, sprouted.

We witnessed the population boom of the 1970s as a result of the growth in the oil industry. This signaled a paradigm shift in our history – a period which opened up our coastal city with the influx of thousands of people seeking greener pastures and jobs in the oil industry as well as the construction of a social housing programme. It was the crystallization of an idea that would go on to define the very essence of life in the sprawling metropolis – the hot chase for “The Lagos Dream�.

As far back as the 80s, with rising unemployment statistics, we had understood the need to maximize the opportunities inherent in a city-state such as ours by diversifying the abundant economic potential and harnessing human capital for better growth. The road to actualizing this was a dedicated will to develop alternate industries in agriculture, technology, hospitality and entertainment, among others, as well as in the informal sector. Our founding vision of a megacity in which there are opportunities for all, regardless of race and colour, remains strong.

Today, a population of over 21 million residents is evidence of the unprecedented rate at which Africa’s largest city is growing. Our urban footprints in the last 60 years provide a window into the urbanization of Lagos, illustrating a story of the social, economic, environmental and political factors that have reciprocally shaped our city.

Research suggests that

these changes may be nothing compared to what we will witness in the next 60 years. Maintaining the current growth and migration rates, Lagos could become the world’s largest metropolis, home to 85 or 100 million people.

How are we poised to further steer Nigeria through the next decades of her independence?

We must look to the foundational pillars which define good governance in any democracy.

Our administration condensed this to six cardinal indices of development particular to Lagos State, yet adaptable to any city of the world, namely: Traffic Management and Transportation; Health and Environment; Education and Technology; Making Lagos a 21st Century Economy; Entertainment and Tourism; Security and Governance. These are encapsulated in the acronym T.H.E.M.E.S. Agenda for a Greater Lagos.

What do you see when you close your eyes and imagine the Nigeria of the future, say 5, 10, 20, 50, 60 or even 100 years from now?

This is the question I ask myself daily in the discharge of my duties and in implementing policies which are designed to be adapted for a world beyond our present circumstances and realities. The litmus test for any course of action is to objectively answer whether a policy would be of benefit to our children and generations yet unborn.

Afro-futurism is a concept that is largely shaping developments around the continent, Nigeria inclusive. In our quest for a semblance of what a utopian African society would look like (our very own Wakanda if you like), Lagos is making monumental strides in the transport and housing sectors. These are the two behemoths which often pose great challenges to a city with a sprawling population such as ours. Some of the priorities of my administration are solutions which accommodate people and move them efficiently from one place to another, significantly reducing lost productivity time associated with current commute challenges.

The Lagos Light Rail system is one of such projects which will redefine our commuting experience and overhaul the entire transport s y s t e m .

Gleaning lessons from the railway operations of old and infusing ultra-modern t e c h n o l o g y, this will open up Lagos like never before, easing the movement of people and goods within the metropolis.

We are in the final phase of delivering the 27km Blue Line, which connects Marina in the heart of the city with

Okokomaiko on the outskirts. It is set for test-run in December 2021. This will pave the way for the Red Line from Agbado-Marina and six other planned routes, which are part of our transport masterplan. The future of transportation is the ability to connect from opposite sides of the mainland to Lagos Island in minutes. This will not only positively impact the ease of doing business within Lagos, but promote enhanced interstate commerce with better opportunities for all.

We are making the most of our unique topography by investing aggressively in an operational water transport system.

Commuters are being ferried across Lagos waterways along various routes, comprising Ikorodu, Ebute-Ero, Apapa, CMS, Ikoyi and Ajah, with LAGFERRY services. We launched 14 boats earlier this year and are set to double the fleet by the end of first quarter of 2021. We extended the campaign to safety of passengers by removing water hyacinth from the water channels and creating navigation routes through the use of directional balls.

These are all geared towards easing the pressure on our roads.

We recently flagged off the 13.68km long BRT corridor from Oshodi-Abule Egba, which has drastically reduced travel time from an average two hours during peak periods to approximately 30 minutes. This is in addition to an upgraded e-ticketing system, which will be integrated into the BRT, LAGFERRY and Light Rail services. Acknowledging the need for partnership in meeting the demand for commuting services, we have engaged ride-hailing companies to develop regulatory guidelines which meet this demand and prioritize safety of passengers. These are all aimed at improving the public commuting experience and increasing productivity of an average Lagosian.

Occupying just 0.38% of Nigeria’s land mass and one-third of that figure under water, it would seem the odds are stacked against us in housing. With our sight set firmly on the future, we are developing Lagos Homes housing projects in many parts of our dear state. Some have been delivered in Ikorodu, Igando, Lekki and Badagry. Besides, we are implementing policies which make the creation of housing solutions easier, but we are not oblivious of the limitations of the government to solely reverse the housing deficit. We are continuously seeking partnership with the private sector and real estate developers to jointly address this problem.

One such venture is the Eko Atlantic City, a mega real estate project which challenges our perceptions of what is possible in the realm of city architecture.

Popularly referred to as the “Great Wall of Lagos�, this entirely new coastal city being developed on land

reclaimed from the Atlantic Ocean will become home to a quarter of a million people and provide 150,000 with jobs. This template will set the stage for us to join the league of smart cities; this would have been inconceivable decades ago.

Our commitment to providing sustainable energy and affordable power is challenging the traditional stereotypes. A few months ago, the Lagos State Government launched an innovation challenge (Lagos Smart Meter Hackathon), which is leveraging the tech community to find crowdsourced solutions to our metering gap through locally developed prototypes for prepaid meters. Similar initiatives aimed at accelerating the pace of technological advancement are constantly incubated through dedicated programmes at the Eko Innovation Center.

In the same vein, we expanded the Olusosun landfill, one of Africa’s largest dumpsites, by 42 acres to accommodate increased activity and plans to harness energy from the natural gases which build up there. This is one example of the ways in which Lagos applies homegrown solutions to problems, in this case waste management.

To Lagosians, I cannot overstate the crucial roles we all have to play as individuals in the achievement of the Lagos of our dream.

We rely on you, because you are our greatest resource –the demographic dividend which is only payable when our young, vibrant workforce exert their full capacities to driving economic growth.

When I close my eyes and think of Nigeria of the future, it is one that has largely been influenced by the advancements we make here in Lagos. And so, my imagination is filled with the endless possibilities of an intermodal transport system that optimizes the use of road, rail and water as well as intracity aerial modes of transport. I see the fantastic buildings that will dominate the city’s skyline as we continuously build up and also our coastline with the advent of floating cities.

But, most especially, I see you: the creative, passionate, resilient people, who will make these dreams come true with your output and advancement in commerce, industrialization, service delivery and commitment to excellence.

I see a Lagos that becomes a net exporter of talents with ambassadors whose names reverberate from all corners of the world.

Our art and fashion gracing the runways of coveted shows and adorning the closets of icons; a pristine environment devoid of pollution and white sand beaches that will be the toast of the tourism industry; our Afro-fusion music and Nollywood works driving global conversations, dominating the screens of an enthralled audience from Sydney to California, Amsterdam and Mumbai. Ever present in my mind’s eye are upscaled levels of export production and much needed foreign exchange from the industrious merchants of the international markets at Ladipo or Balogun; and the sophisticated innovations that pop out of Yaba, our own Silicon Valley.

Encompassing these socio-economic advancements is the infectious warmth of our people and their boundless energy, their calmness in the organized buzz that characterizes our city and, perhaps most importantly, a cohesive security infrastructure that promotes peace.

I refuse to accept that this is all the fruit of my fertile imagination. No. I truly believe in our inherent power to advance the course of Lagos and, by extension, Nigeria’s path towards realistic dreams. Adapting the lingo that has come to be associated with another metropolitan city, I make bold to say that “You can make it here, and win everywhere�.

Buhari

r4BOXP 0MV JT UIF &YFDVUJWF (PWFSOPS PG -BHPT 4UBUF

82

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Police Declare Ex-minister, Kenneth Gbagi Wanted Court stops IG from arresting former minister Alex Enumah in Abuja and Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba The Delta State Police Command yesterday “declared wanted” a prominent businessman and former Minister of State for Education, Mr. Kenneth Gbagi, for allegedly failing to honour an invitation by the police for formal interrogation about his alleged involvement in the recent dehumanising treatment meted out to three young ladies and a man.

This is coming as a Federal High Court in Abuja has restrained the Inspector-General of Police (IG) and the Delta State Police Commissioner from

arresting or detaining Gbagi.

But the Delta State Police Command said in a statement yesterday that they were left with no other option than to declare him wanted and asked members of the public to help in that regards due to the alleged antics of the former minister and governorship aspirant after his invitation by the police authorities.

“Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi was invited by the Commissioner of Police (Mr. Afiz Mohammed Inuwa) through the Area Commander Warri and DPO (Divisional Police Officer) Ebrumede Division on September 25, 2020 for questioning concerning the

alleged dehumanising manner in which he ordered some of his staff to be stripped naked and physically assaulted because of an alleged case of stealing, which took place at Signatious Hotel belonging to him.

“Kenneth Gbagi personally and severally called and gave the excuse that he had a burial ceremony of his elder sister on Friday 25/9/2020 in which he is a key player, and asked for time to finish with the ceremony on Sunday (and that)

thereafter he will report at the State Headquarters on Monday, September 28, 2020.”

The statement by the spokeswoman of the state police command, Mrs. Onome Onovwakpoyeya, a deputy superintendent of police (DSP), noted that despite granting Gbagi the favour to appear at other times that he requested were more convenient for him on “humanitarian around”, the former minister had continued with his cock-and-bull stories why

he has not been able to honour the invitation to appear before the state commissioner of police.

According to the statement, “These requests were granted on humanitarian ground. On Monday, September 28, 2020, Kenneth Gbagi called the Commissioner of Police to say that he had a court case to attend to, promising to report at the Police Headquarters in Asaba by 3:00pm; again he was equally obliged.

“On the same date, the

Commissioner of Police had to call him at about 5:00pm before the same Kenneth Gbagi said that he was on his way to the State Police HQ (headquarters) Asaba.

“Sadly and unfortunately, Kenneth Gbagi still failed to report; instead he went into the public space to disparage, blackmail and maligned the person of the Commissioner of Police and the Nigeria Police Force, Delta State Command for insisting on investigating him.”

Lekwot Alleges Plot to Colonise Southern Kaduna John Shiklam in Kaduna The Chairman of the Southern Kaduna Elders Forum (SKEF), Gen. Zamani Lekwot (rtd), has alleged plot by the major tribes in Kaduna State to distort history in order to colonise the people of Southern Kaduna.

Speaking yesterday in Kaduna, at the inauguration of members of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Southern Kaduna Peoples Empowerment Foundation (SKPEF), Lekwot said the distortion of the history of the area was a deliberate attempt to colonise Southern Kaduna.

The foundation was established by the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU), the umbrella body of ethnic nationalities in Southern Kaduna to empower the people and bring development to communities.

Lekwot who lamented lack of development in Southern

Kaduna, said the establishment of the foundation was a welcome development at this critical time.

He recalled that when he was the chairman of BoT of SOKAPU over 10 years ago, he thought about the idea of such a foundation.

“This is an idea whose time has come and nobody can stop it; this foundation is to beam a powerful torchlight on the plight of our people and bring development in our community” he said.

According to him, the time has come for the southern Kaduna people to rescue their people from obscurity, stressing that the foundation should make transparency and accountability its watchword.

“This is because our detractors will be looking for loopholes against us.

“I think God has woken us up from our sleep and I pray that you remain focused.

Nigeria’s COVID-19 Cases Rise By 201 to 58,848 Martins Ifijeh Nigeria has recorded 201 new cases of COVID-19, bringing to 58,848 the number of confirmed cases in the country.

Announcing this yesterday, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said Lagos recorded 77 new cases; Rivers, 37; Plateau, 25; Federal Capital

Territory (FCT), 13; Kaduna and Ogun, 12 each; Adamawa, eight; Taraba, seven; Imo, four; Kwara and Osun, two each; while Abia and Oyo recorded one each.

It said: “Nigeria has so far recorded 58,848 confirmed cases of COVID-19. 50,358 persons have been discharged, while 1,112 have died.”

Buhari Outlines Key Measures to Reverse Biodiversity Loss in Nigeria Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday outlined measures by Nigeria to reverse biodiversity loss, expressing concern that most indigenous flora and fauna commonly found within the country are facing extinction.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said in a statement yesterday that Buhari made the submission in a video-message to virtual 2020 Biodiversity Summit, held on the margins of the 75th UN General Assembly, in New York.

According to Adesina, the president observed that Nigeria,

like other countries, had a wide array of rich and invaluable national heritage that include an impressive network of wetlands, wildlife and forestry resources.

The president said: “Regrettably, most of the indigenous flora and fauna commonly found within the country are becoming endangered and facing extinction. ‘’To reverse this situation, we have developed the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan as an enabler for integrating biodiversity considerations into sectoral and cross-sectoral policies, plans and programmes at all levels of government.

SECURITY ON THEIR MINDS...

L-R: Coordinator General of Salute Nigeria Initiative/Finger off the Trigger Campaign, Ambassador Chielo Ojirika; Alapomu of Apomuland, Oba Kayode Adenekan Afolabi; his wife, Mrs. Janet Afolabi; and Fellow, Institute of Conflict Resolution, Peace Building and Conciliation, Asiwaju Mashood Shittu, during the flag-off of South-west zonal campaign for community policing by Salute Nigeria Initiative, at the Alapomu Palace in Osun State...yesterday

Military Urges Nasarawa, Kogi to Provide Access Roads to Terrorists’ Enclave Kingsley Nwezeh inAbuja

The Nigerian Army yesterday called on the governments of Nasarawa and Kogi states to open up access roads around the enclave of the terrorist group, Darul Salam.

A statement issued by Nigerian Army Headquarters said troops have rescued 778 women and children of the group.

The Army, however commended the Nasarawa State government for heeding its advice conveyed through the Commander of 4 Special Forces Command Doma to construct access road through the Kenyehu Uttu Forest and contiguous hills in Toto Local Government Area of the state.

“In its resolve and unwavering commitment to mitigate all forms of security threats in any part of

the country, the Nigerian Army has, through the Commander of 4 Special Forces Command, drawn the attention of Nasarawa and Kogi State governments on the need to open up Umashan Adaosun/Sardauna - Uttu road and Uguma- Kpokpobili - Uttu - Igwapati - Uttu road in Nasarawa and Kogi states, respectively.

“This if done will ease and enhance the operation of security

agencies in the area, which will bring succor to the law - abiding citizens in the areas,” it said.

The statement said opening up access roads into such remote and isolated areas with attendant infrastructural development, will bring governance and prosperity to such hitherto ungoverned spaces.

This, it said, would no doubt enhance the general security in the area.

Ojudu, Others Remain Suspended, Ekiti APC Insists Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti yesterday insisted the Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Political Matters, Senator Babafemi Ojudu and 10 others remain suspended.

The APC said the indefinite suspension slammed on the party’s big wigs subsist despite pronouncement of the party’s national secretariat nullifying the action.

The party had last week

suspended Ojudu and 10 others over alleged disobedience, which rested on their failure to withdraw the case they instituted against the party as directed by the National Executive Committee (NEC).

Others who were suspended alongside Ojudu are: Mr. Ayo Ajibade, Hon. Oyetunde Ojo, Hon Femi Adeleye, Bunmi Ogunleye, Akin Akomolafe, Bamigboye Adegoroye, Wole Oluyede, Olusoga Owoeye, Dele Afolabi, and Toyin Oluwasola.

The sanction came following

the report of the Patrick Ajigbolamu-led eight-man disciplinary committee set up to probe allegations of anti-party activities levelled against them.

But in a counter action, Ojudu and his loyalists suspended Governor Kayode Fayemi and the State Working Committee, accusing the governor of destabilising the party.

However, the suspension and counter-suspension were however declared null and void by the Caretaker Committee of the party, leading to the

setting up of a reconciliation committee chaired by Governor Nasir el-Rufai.

Speaking with journalists in Ado Ekit, the APC State Publicity Secretary, Hon. Ade Ajayi, said the suspension of Ojudu and others subsists.

Ajayi added the el-Rufai reconciliation Committee and the disciplinary committee set up at the state level, which recommended the suspension of Ojudu and others were saddled with distinct responsibilities with no overlapping effect.

Again, NAF Names Buildings after Arotile, Nine Others The Nigerian Air Force has named a two-block of 4 x 2 bedroom married officers accommodation at the NAF Base in Abuja after the late first female fighter pilot, Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile.

This is coming few weeks after a remodeled Pilots’ crew room ’ at the 115 Special Operations Group, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was named after the pilot who died in a car accident at the NAF Base in Kaduna in July.

Disclosing this yesterday during the inauguration of

the buildings at NAF Base Asokoro, Abuja, the Director of Administration, Air Vice Marshal A. Pani, said nine other deceased officers, who died in active service, were also similarly honoured with blocks of buildings named after them.

He said that the buildings were constructed by the Ministry of Defence as part of its 2018 capital project.

Pani stated, “These blocks are, therefore, being named after nine officers and one airman to immortalise them in recognition of their sacrifices.

“In this regard, at NAF Base Bill Clinton Drive, one of the two blocks of 10 x 1 bedroom transit accommodation is named after Flying Officer AA Mohammed (NAF/5082), who was KIA (killed in action) on 5 Sep 20 in Birnin Gwari while the second block of 10 x 1 bedroom transit accommodation is named after Flt Lt Akweke Junior Nwakile (NAF/3014) who was KIA on 21 Jul 14 while participating in Operation Lafiya Dole in the North -East.

“Additionally, the two blocks of 4 x 2 bedroom married

officers accommodation are named after Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile (NAF/4512F) who died as a result of road traffic accident on July 24, 2020 at NAF Base Kaduna and Flt. Lt. John Ayonoteh Adams (NAF/3104) who was KIA on Feb 19, 2013 while participating in Operation Zaman Lafiya.”

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, said the provision of befitting accommodation for the personnel and their families remained a top priority for the NAF.

83

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

Nigerian Army Jails Soldier for Rape of Minor Michael Olugbode inMaiduguri A soldier, Corporal Aliyu Yakubu, has been dismissed from the Nigerian Army and sentenced to five years imprisonment for

rape and assault by a court martial in Maiduguri.

Yakubu, who was tried by the Nigerian Army 7 Division Court Martial, Operation Lafiya Dole, for raping a minor (15-year-old

Court Sentences Man to 125 Years Imprisonment for Fraud MichaelOlugbodeinMaiduguri A man has been jailed to a cumulative 125 years in prison by a Borno State High Court in Maiduguri for fraudulently obtaining food items worth N12.9 million.

The accused, Allen Abel, was dragged before the court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for fraudulently obtaining food items valued at N12.9 million on the pretext of executing a fake contract for the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development (FMHDSD)’s School Feeding scheme under the Social Intervention Programme (SIP) of the federal government.

Abel was arraigned before Justice Aisha Kumaliya on July 2, 2020, along with Suleiman Adamu, Usman Adamu and Kingsley Madubuagu by the Maiduguri zonal office of the commission on a 20-count charge that borders on forgery, possession of false

documents, impersonation and obtaining by false pretence.

The count three of the charge read: “That you, Allen Abel, Suleiman Adamu and Usman Adamu sometimes between February and March 2020 in Maiduguri, within the jurisdiction of this court with the intent to defraud, obtained 1,313 cartons of spaghetti and 480 bags of rice both worth N12, 110,000.00 (Twelve Million One Hundred Ten Thousand Naira) only from one Lelle Hyelwa Sini of Lelle Foresight Construction Co. Limited under the false pretence of executing a contract of supply of food items, purportedly awarded by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs Disaster Management and Social Development (Federal Government School Feeding Programme, under the Social Intervention Programme (SIP), which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and Punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”

...Dismisses Suit against Buhari’s Appointment of 21 Judges Alex Enumah in Abuja Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja yesterday, dismissed the suit challenging President Muhammadu Buhari’s appointment of 21 out of the 33 persons penciled down as judges in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Justice Abang dismissed the suit on the grounds that the plaintiffs lacked ‘locus standi’ to institute the case since they did not show any special interest as to confer on them the locus to commence the suit against the respective parties.

The suit marked: FHC/ABJ/ CS/602/2020, and filed by JRP Foundation Ltd/GTE, comprises about 15 Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

While President Buhari is the first defendant, the National Judicial Council (NJC), the Judicial Service Committee of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), and the 21 nominees are the 2nd to 25th defendants respectively.

The plaintiff had asked the court to declare “that in its exercise of its constitutional duties to recommend suitable persons to the 2nd defendant as judges of High Court of FCT, Abuja, the 3rd defendant must only recommend such persons as have met the criteria and satisfied the conditions set out in the extant Guidelines and Procedural Rules for the appointment of judicial officers in Nigeria made by the 2nd defendant.

girl) at an uncompleted building behind a prison yard in Bama, Borno State, on July 1, 2018.

The accused was serving with 202 Tank Battalion in the ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the Northeast.

President of the General

Court Martial, Brig-Gen. Ekubi Arikpo, who passed the judgment yesterday at the Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri, said the five-year jail term and dismissal are for count one and two charges against Yakubu.

Arikpo said: “The sentencing

and dismissal of Corporal Yukubu from service are according to Armed Forces Act (AFA), 2004, section 78 and section 10, subsection 2A,” noting that five witnesses testified before the court with 10 exhibits received.

Arikpo said that the offence of

rape and assault, contradict the military professional operations of fighting Boko Haram insurgency in Borno State, which the accused stood guilt of.

He noted that one of the exhibits presented before the court include a medical report of rape.

DEEPENING LOCAL CAPACITY BUILDING...

L-R: Deputy Managing Director, Operation, Bell Oil and Gas, Mr. Ayo Aderibigbe; Deputy Managing Director, Lekki Free Zone Development Company, Mr. Emmanuel Adegboyega Balogun; Managing Director, Lekki Free Zone Development Company, Mr. Xigong Huang; Managing Director, Bell Oil and Gas, Mr. Kayode Thomas; and Director, Monitoring and Evaluation, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Mr. Tunde Adelana, during the groundbreaking of Bell Oil and Gas threading and valve assembling facility, at Lekki Free Export Trade Zone, in Lagos...yesterday SUNDAY ADIGUN

Man Gets Life Jail for Defiling His Nine-year-old Daughter Justice Peter Kekemeke of an FCT High Court sitting in Nyanya yesterday sentenced a man, Akindele Ajewole, to life imprisonment for defiling his nine-year-old daughter.

Ajewole, 43, pleaded guilty to the first count out of the fivecount charges levelled against him by the police.

Delivering judgment after the guilty plea, Kekemeke held that count one for which the defendant was charged is of strict liability.

“The court has no discretion to exercise in the matter; offence of sexual harassment is becoming rampant in the society.

”There is need to protect our children particularly, the female children from every form of exploitation and abuse even from their parents as in this case.

“There is need to bequeath to the society sanity and rectitude the defendant is hereby sentenced to life imprisonment,” he held.

Earlier, the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Donatus Abah, told the court that Ajewole of Sauka Village, Lugbe, Abuja sexually abused his daughter severally since 2014 when she was nine years.

He informed the court that this offence contravened section 31 (1) of the Childs Right Act.

‘I Killed 50 Kidnap Victims Because They Could Not Pay Ransom’ A 30-year-old kidnap suspect, Mohammed Sani, has told the police that he killed more than 50 of his victims because they could not afford to pay ransom.

Sani, who was paraded yesterday by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba, alongside 46 other criminals at the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) Headquarters in Abuja, said he carried out his operations mainly within Kaduna, Katsina, Niger and Zamfara states.

Wearing a fake military uniform, Sani said he worked

for one Yellow Jambros, who gave him guns and military uniforms for operations.

He said he was a sector commander in their kidnapping ring and had over 120 men under his command.

Sani, who said he has lost count of how many kidnap operations he carried out, said any of their victims that paid ransom were allowed to go but those that could not were killed.

Mba, who said the suspect was nabbed by men of the Special Tactical Squad (STS), said

he has been on their wanted list for a while.

“His area of specialty is kidnapping for ransom and banditry. Occasionally he veers into cattle rustling.

“He belongs to an organised kidnapping gang that has gone ahead to sectorise their operations. “Mohammed Sani is a sector commander within the larger kidnapping and banditry enterprise.

“He has over 100 men directly under his command. Sani reports to another big kidnapper

that is on our wanted list known as Yellow Jambros,” Mba said.

Also paraded were seven male suspects directly linked with a deadly attack on a bullion van in Abakiliki in Ebonyi on July 29, 2020.

Mba said two of them were dismissed soldiers.

He said the men, after a very elaborate plan that involved them carrying out surveillance on the movement of the bullion van for over two weeks, eventually carried out the attack on the said date.

House Passes Bill Seeking Jail Term for Persons PIB Passes First Reading Who Shun Summons The legislation titled: ‘Bill for Presenting the bill, Fulata the summon of the parliament Udora Orizu in Abuja in Senate an Act to Alter the Provisions said Section 89 states that shall be convicted or guilty of

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

The Senate yesterday resolved to debate the report of the 20212023 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP) presented to it at plenary.

This is just as the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) sent to the National Assembly last Tuesday

by President Muhammadu Buhari passed through first reading at the Senate plenary.

The Senate decision to discuss the MTEF/FSP document next week was sequel to the presentation of the report of the Joint Committee on Finance and National Planning and Economic Affairs on the 2021-2023 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper.

The report, which was

presented during plenary, was laid by the Chairman of the Joint Committee, Senator Olamilekan Adeola.

President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, thereafter, directed the Committee on Rules and Business to ensure that all senators get copies of the MTEF/FSP report before the debate next week.

Also at yesterday’s plenary, the PIB passed through the first reading.

The Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi, presented the Executive Bill after which the Senate president read the bill for the first time.

Meanwhile, two senators of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday commended President Buhari for his ‘unique approach to governance’.

The House of Representatives at the plenary yesterday passed for second reading a bill seeking a fine of N500,000 or two years imprisonment or both for anyone who ignores the summon of the National Assembly.

of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), and for Related Matters (HB. 511)’, was sponsored by the House Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabimila, and the Chairman, Rules and Business, Hon. Abubakar Fulata.

anybody who is summoned by the parliament and refuses to appear would be issued a warrant of arrest and be compelled to appear.

He said the bill seeks to alter the provision to state that anyone who refuses or ignores

contempt, and shall be liable to a fine of N500,000 or two years imprisonment or both.

In his ruling, Gbajabiamila referred the bill to the Special House Committee on Constitutional Review for further legislative actions.

El-Rufai Directs Fresh Process for Selection of New Emir of Zazzau John Shiklam in Kaduna Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has cancelled the initial recommendation by the kingmakers of Zazzau Emirate for the selection of the new Emir and directed that a fresh process should commence.

The state government

yesterday disclosed that the kingmakers were directed to initiate a fresh process to recommend candidates for office of the 19th Fulani Emir of Zazzau from 13 candidates.

The governor cancelled the initial recommendation of three princes- Alhaji Bashar Aminu, the Iyan Zazzau; Munir

Ja’afaru, the Yariman Zazzau; and Aminu Idris, the Turakin Zazzau on the ground that the kingmakers were not fair to other contenders and insisted all aspirants should be given the chance to contest.

The Special Adviser to the governor on Media and Communication, Mr. Muyiwa

Adekeye, in a statement issued yesterday, quoted the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Balarabe Abbas Lawal, as explaining that the state government had directed a new round of selection process following the cancellation of the initial process, which excluded two interested applicants.

84

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

24 HOURS...

24 HOURS...

Nigeria at 60: No Cause for Celebration, Say Catholic Bishops Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Bishops of the Catholic Church in Nigeria has said that with the enormity problems facing the country, there is no room for celebration of the country’s 60th independence anniversary.

In an independence message to Nigerians signed by the Archbishop of Benin City

Archdiocese and President of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), His Grace, Augustine O. Akubeze, the bishops said that apart from the economy that is in terrible state, the country is faced with insecurity and other social crisis.

“Ordinarily, we as a nation should be rejoicing on this occasion of the diamond jubilee of Nigeria’s independence.

“But how can we celebrate when many of our people cannot afford to eat? How can we celebrate when we watch daily, the killings of Nigerians by the insurgents? “How can we celebrate when Boko Haram is still holding some of the Chibok girls, and Leah Sharibu is still

being held captive for over three years because she refuses to denounce Christ?

“How can we celebrate when Covid-19 has crippled an already poor Nigerian economy? How do we celebrate when the Federal Government, without any prior clear warning,

allows the epileptic electricity supply tariff to be increased and at the same time removing the fuel subsidy? “It is difficult to ask Nigerians to celebrate when many Nigerians with a minimum wage of N30, 000 are asked to provide for their families in the light of the hike

in fuel price and the increase in the electricity tariff”.

The bishops said “it is just unimaginable and inconceivable to celebrate Nigeria at 60 when our roads are not safe; our people are kidnapped, and they sell their properties to pay ransom to criminals.

Court Strikes out Suit against Osun Deputy Chief of Staff

Yinka Kolawole inOsogbo

An Abuja High Court sitting in Maitama yesterday struck out the fraud allegation case against the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor of Osun State, Prince Adeyanju Binuyo.

The Inspector General of Police had in a charge marked CR/975/2020 sued Binuyo before the court.

At the trial, none of the parties were present.

One Rimamsote Ezekiel had appeared for the prosecution, while Wahab Ismaila and Wasiu Omotosho appeared for the defendant.

Samuel Ogala appeared to watch brief for the nominal complainant.

Delivering a short ruling , the trial judge, Justice O.O Goodluck held that,”at the instance of the prosecuting counsel, the suit is struck out”.

Earlier, Ismail, counsel to Binuyo had described as mischievous and misleading, the alleged fraud story describing it as one that was done deliberately to cast aspersions on the person of Binuyo.

According to him, “Binuyo was just a mere witness and not a party to the said failed business.

He cannot be liable in the face of the law.”

Ismail explained that the amount involved in the business transaction in question , was $100, 000 and not $120, 000, adding that it had been refunded in full to the party concerned almost a year ago.

Ondo Guber Election: Yiaga Africa Alleges Increasing Violence Chuks Okocha in Abuja Given the pervasive threat to safety and security in the forthcoming October 10 governorship election in Ondo State, a civil society coalition group, Yiaga Africa, has urged the federal and state governments to desist from partisan use of the police and security forces to manipulate the electoral process.

The civil society group said there has been a wave of under reported violence going on in Ondo State, especially the incidence of verbal and physical attacks and vandalism, in Akure South, Akoko South-East, Idanre, Owo and Akoko South West Local Government Areas of

the state.

According to a report signed by the Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo, “At the beginning of political campaigns, Yiaga Africa observers reported incidents of physical violence and verbal attacks trailing political party campaigns. At least one incident of physical and/or verbal attacks during political party rallies, meetings and campaigns occurred in Akoko South-West, Akure South, Idanre, Owo and Akoko South-East LGAs. In addition, there were reports of vandalism/ destruction of properties such as cars, belonging to candidates and/or supporters by perceived opponents.”

Advocacy Group Tasks FG on Insecurity, Disunity Sunday Okobi and Rebecca Ejifoma An advocacy group, NALT Club International, has joined many citizens and friends of Nigeria to celebrate its 60th Independence anniversary, with a call to the federal government to end the violent communal clashes and other forms of insecurity across the country.

The organisation stated this yesterday in a statement issued by its Public Relations Officers, Okenna Nnamchi and Nwaeze Okeoma in Lagos.

According to the group, “in marking its 60th anniversary,

the Nigerian Government has vowed to remain committed to promoting sound economic management, good governance, fostering economic and social development and contributing positively to the realisation and maintenance of peace, security, stability and development in Africa and West Africa in particular.”

While the organisation expressed appreciation over the laudable initiatives of the government, it however expressed concerns that since independence, Nigeria had struggled with unending violent communal clashes and identity-based conflicts.

CELEBRATING MEGA PROJECT...

L-R: Group Head, Media Relations Office, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Mr. Moses Duku; Executive Director, Administration, Mr. Zubairu Ibrahim Bayi; Divisional Manager, Mr. Oliver Berger; and Project Coordinator, Mr. Ismaila Mohammed Amodu, during the inauguration of the Itakpe – Warri Railway Line in Agbor, Delta State...recently

Borno Situation Can Consume Nigeria, NGF Warns, Donates N100m The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has warned that the situation in Borno State may consume the Nigeria if nothing was done to change the tide of attacks by Boko Haram insurgents in the state.

The Chairman of the NGF, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who led three other governors; Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Abubakar Bagudu (Kebbi) and Simon Lalong (Plateau), on a visit to the Borno

State Governor, Babagana Zulum, issued this warning yesterday in Maiduguri.

Fayemi also made a donation of N100million on behalf of the 36 governors of the federation to the government and people of Borno State to assist the government in its effort to rebuild the state.

He said, “If we do not tame the tide of the problem that we are seeing here, it will inexorably consume our entire country. That’s

why we must associate with you; we must demonstrate solidarity and show concern, so that not just at our own level, but the leadership in the entire country that is already doing a lot to confront this challenge will also do more.”

This was contained in a statement titled, ‘I’ll be careful but — Zulum… NGF donates N100m to the people and government of Borno State’, issued

by the Head, Media and Public Affairs of the NGF, Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo, in Abuja.

According to the statement, the NGF chairman, Dr. Kayode Fayemi “admonished Prof. Zulum to exercise caution in his activities in the state, even though he narrated how the Borno State Governor always responded by saying that his life was in the hands of Allah and that death would only come when Allah wills.”

Buhari, Fayemi Felicitate with Tony Iyare at 60 President Muhammadu Buhari and the Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi have sent their warm greetings to frontline journalist and social commentator, Mr. Antony Oluwatoyin Iyare on his 60th birthday In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the President “joins family, friends and the media community to celebrate frontline journalist,

Iyare, as he hits the Diamond age on October 1, 2020.”

He noted that, “with more than three decades of reporting, editing, and public commentary tucked into his belt, Iyare also served as Special Adviser on Media to the then Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State.”

According to the statement, the president wishes him “many more decades of commitment and contribution to the profession

he loves so much, praying for long life and prosperity.”

Also in a statement he personally sent to the celebrant, Fayemi, also his classmate at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), writes: “To my comrade at 60. I heartily felicitate with ace journalist and international relations scholar, Tony Iyare on the occasion of his 60th birthday.

“Having known Tony for over three decades, first as

fellow graduate students at the University of Ife to our days in journalism and democracy activism, Tony has always been the voice of the voiceless, speaking truth to power in his unwavering commitment to building a better society.

“Bisi and I join millions of family members, friends and well wishers to rejoice with Tony and wish him many healthy and prosperous years ahead,” the governor said.

NGO Flags off Campaign to Support Community Policing Salute Nigeria Initiative, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) engaged in promoting national interest , has flagged of South-west zonal campaign to support community policing through community to community sensitisation against insecurity, gender-based violence and COVID- 19.

The event took place at the Palace of Alapomu of Apomu.

Speaking on the campaign, the Convener, Ambassador Chielo Ojirika, Nigerian-born international musician and music Ambassador to Germany said “against the background of our communities being plagued by insecurity, insurgency, bandit, kidnapping, inter-community violence, ravishing COVID-19 pandemic as well as violence against women and children,

we have been challenged to come up with a new integrated community to community sensitisation campaign which will go nationwide. “ Ojirika said “there is no country without crises. But the collective ability to manage it determines the stability and progress of that country. Nigeria is the biggest market in Africa but this is being hindered by insecurity thereby

hindering economic growth and development “ Another speaker at the event, and a fellow with Institute of Conflict Resolution, Peace Building and Conciliation, Asiwaju Mashood Shittu, said the initiative was to support the fight against insurgency, Gender-Based Violence and other crimes through community policing.

Old Students to Inaugurate N50m School Projects The old students of St John’s Grammar School, Ile-Ife, Osun State will, on Saturday, commission projects worth N50million and formally hand them over to the school’s management.

The projects include gated fence worth N18million; a full size bronze statue of the founder, Rev. Father Fabian Cloutier,

N5.1 million; modern toilets, N12.5million; library renovation, N5million and renovation of two blocks of classrooms at N15million.

Osun State Governor, Mr. Isiaka Oyetola and His Imperial Majesty, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife are expected at the event.

While the gated fence was

funded from the purse of the association, individual sets and philantropic old students facilitated the renovation of facilities. Among the old students who sponsored projects is Mr. Ayodele Alabi whose bronze statue of the founder welcomes visitors to the main grounds of the school.

The statue, atop a marble

structure, is 4.3metres (13feet) in height.

Besides, Ayodele also renovated a wing of a block of classrooms.

Another old student, Senator Iyiola Omisore donated a computer class and generator while Senator Babajide Omoworare renovated the administrative block.

85

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

NIGERIA @ 60...

NIGERIA @ 60...

Atiku, Mark, Governors, Others Felicitate with Nigeria at 60 Our Correspondents As Nigeria marks her 60th Independence anniversary, the former vice president and the PDP presidential candidate in the 2019 general election, Atiku Abubakar has appealed on those who have taken up arms against Nigeria to have a rethink.

He said that whatever differences they may have with the rest of Nigeria, whether religious, ethnic or political: terror, violence and separatism are not the way.

The former vice president also called on the federal government to invest in the future of the youths as they remain the soul of the Nigerian nation.

According to Atiku in a statement he signed said, “Let us learn from history. In Ireland, Israel, and the Balkans, such groups have seen the wisdom in giving up armed struggle for participation in the political process”.

The former vice president said that there is much wisdom in the saying that to jaw jaw is better than to war war, stating that Nigeria “must accept the reality that we are all brothers and sisters sired by our fatherland.”

He explained that Nigeria cannot defeat separatist groups by force of arms alone; adding that, “we can only defeat separatism by making all Nigerians feel like they belong.

And this is only possible when we live up to the words of our national motto: Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress.”

PDP Governors Felicitate with Nigerians The Governor of Sokoto State and Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambawul, has felicitated with Nigerians on the occasion of the 60th Independence anniversary, describing it as a great milestone that calls for both celebration and sober reflection.

In a statement he personally signed on behalf of the governors, Tambawul said: “As our country, Nigeria, turns 60, it is a great milestone which calls for both celebrations and sober reflections. I wish to salute the doggedness and indomitable spirit of our founding fathers, who labored strenuously and expended the energies of their youth to ensure the birth of a new nation on October 1, 1960.

“Through the collective efforts and struggles of our founding fathers, the indomitable Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, the ebullient Sir Ahmadu Bello, the graceful Alhaji Tafawa Balewa, and the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and their other notable compatriots, Nigeria achieved independence from British colonial domination.

On this special occasion of the nation`s Diamond jubilee, we acknowledge the sacrifices of these founding leaders who gave us a hope for the future; a future that we could be proud of”.

Accordingly, he said: “On behalf of the PDP Governors` Forum, I congratulate the good people of Nigeria for this achievement.

It is certainly a thing of joy that in spite of the challenges the nation has faced and the centrifugal forces that have been at play in these past years, our common heritage, Nigeria, to the glory of Almighty God, has remained intact. Our nation has gone through tough times and terrible difficulties which on many occasions brought her close to the edge of the precipice. But God, in His infinite mercies, has always pulled her back.”

Mark, Omo-Agege Call for Truly United Nation Former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark and the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, have called for a united Nigeria that all citizens will be proud of.

The duo who made this submission in separate messages on Wednesday to mark 60th independence anniversary of Nigeria, stressed that the political class should strive to ensure the nation remains one irrespective of religious or tribal differences.

Mark in his message urged the political class to review critically the underlying concerns of Nigerians believed to be aggravating agitations, ethno-religious conflicts and insecurity in the country.

He stressed that the road map to Nigeria’s development is to identify and genuinely address those ills militating against it.

On his part, the Deputy President of the

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo SAN (left), and President Muhammadu Buhari, during a virtual Federal Executive Council meeting at the Council Chambers of the State House in Abuja...yesterday Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege said the country has demonstrated unusual resilience in the face of many odds.

Omo-Agege, in his message to commemorate Nigeria’s 60th Independence anniversary, called on those agitating for the break up of the country to join hands with President Muhammadu Buhari to make Nigeria a better place for the current and coming generations.

Although Omo-Agege admitted that Coronavirus has ravaged the economies of the entire world, he was upbeat that Nigeria will overcome the challenges caused by the pandemic.

The lawmaker urged Nigerians to keep praying for the continued peace and unity of the country.

Ortom Asks Nigerians to Uphold Virtues of Sincerity, Justice, Fairness Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has urged Nigerians to uphold the virtues of sincerity, justice and fairness while rejecting impunity to enable the country to realise its full potential as a prosperous nation and the true giant of Africa.

The governor also admonishes Nigerians to sustain their faith in the unity and capacity of the country to overcome the current security and economic challenges.

He made the call in a press release by his Media aide Terver Akase yesterday in Makurdi He said what the nation needs at this time are men and women of honour and integrity who can stand for the rule of law and promote the values as well as the dream of the nation’s founding fathers.

The governor stated that the grace of Almighty God has guided Nigeria out of challenges and threats to its corporate existence, and expresses optimism that the same God will continue to steer the ship of the country away from doom.

We’ve Reason to Celebrate at 60, Says Masari Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State has said that Nigerians have every reason to celebrate Nigeria, as she marks 60 years of political independence, even as he called for more commitment and prayers for peace to prevail in the nation.

Masari also called for more support to President Muhammadu Buhari, to enable him succeed in repositioning the country towards the path of sustainable development.

He said the president needed our sustained commitment and prayers to enable him successfully steer the nation through the numerous challenges confronting, and even threatening, its corporate existence.

Masari, in a goodwill message to mark Nigeria’s 60th Independence anniversary, issued by his Director-general, Media, Abdu Labaran Malumfashi, maintained that although

60 years was not a long time in the life of a have transformed what many had written off as nation, the country has come along way in a dying city into a dynamic hub of commerce, terms of infrastructural development. openness and infrastructural development,” he explained.

Fayemi Hails Nigeria at 60, Ekiti at 24 Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has House Minority Caucus Urges Nigerians congratulated Nigerians on the country’s 60th to Be Hopeful independence anniversary, with a call to all The Minority Caucus in the House of and sundry to continue making the necessary Representatives has congratulated Nigerians sacrifice that would ensure that the country as the nation marks her 60th Independence attain the level of greatness envisaged by the anniversary, urging them not to despair over founding fathers. the prevailing security and economic challenges, Fayemi in his goodwill message signed by but continue to keep hope alive in the collective his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, also effort to pull the nation out of the wood. congratulated Ekiti people on the 24th year The lawmakers, in an Independence statement of the creation of Ekiti State. signed by the Minority Leaders of the House, The Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, yesterday, commended Forum said though the country has remained Nigerians for their perseverance and commitment one indivisible political entity despite the political in all spheres of life towards the unity, stability and ethnic forces pulling her, Nigerians must and development of the nation despite the continue to make concerted efforts to see the prevailing economic, political and security Nigeria of our dream come to full manifestation. challenges they face.

The governor who noted that change comes The caucus called for more commitment with pains before some fruitful gains, stated from leaders at all levels in the task of nation that all the challenges confronting the country building, especially at this critical period in are surmountable if all Nigerians participate our national history. actively and constructively in the process of nation building.

APGA Urges FG to Address Sufferings of Nigerians Obaseki Celebrates Nigerians’ Resilience All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) has Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, tasked the federal government to urgently has praised Nigerians for their resilience and do something to reduce the sufferings and sacrifices to surmount the nation’s challenges, frustration Nigerians are a facing. as the country marks its 60th independence The party however expressed optimism anniversary celebration. that there is a renewed hope the country The governor, in a statement, reflected on will successfully pull through the economic the labour of the nation’s founding fathers, difficulties imposed by covid-19. praising the resilience of Nigerians to speak It said that having gone through the synopsis in unison for a democratic entity, despite the of the working documents of the Steering country’s diversity.

Committee for the production of the Mid He said, “On behalf of the government and Term National Development Plan (MTNDP) people of Edo State, I salute all Nigerians on 2021-2025 and the Nigeria Agenda 2050, “there the occasion of the 60th anniversary of our is a flicker of hope for Nigeria”. independence as a nation. I want to especially rejoice with the President and Commander- Delta Speaker, Oborevwori, Preaches in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Unity, Love Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, The Speaker of the Delta State House of GCFR, on this auspicious occasion.”

Assembly, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has congratulated Nigerians in general and Deltans in Celebration is an Excellent Trek, Says particular on the 60th Independence anniversary Tinubu of the country and tasked Nigerians on peace On his part the National Leader of APC, Senator and unity of the country.

Bola Tinubu, in his message, stated that the According to a statement by his Chief Press country does not commemorate Independence Secretary, Mr. Dennis Otu, Hon. Oborevwori Day as some empty ritual. equally eulogised past leaders for laying a According to him, it is not some excuse to solid foundation for the development of the begin the 10th month of the year with a holiday. country.

“Instead, it is an annual reminder and The Speaker who expressed delight with the affirmation of the noble and excellent trek theme of the 60th Independence anniversary upon which we have embarked as a people. celebration: “Together We Shall Be,” noted that During these 60 years we have passed important there is strength in diversity and implored milestones and progressed in many ways. We Nigerians to live in peace and unity, saying have endured long nights that skeptics said no sacrifice is too much to be made for the would end us. In my own state of Lagos we unity of the country.

86

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

THURSDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Ebuehi Replaces Injured Ndidi in S’Eagles’ Friendlies FC Twente defender, Tyronne Ebuehi, will replace Wilfred Ndidi in Nigeria’s squad for this month’s international friendliest against Algeria and Tunisia.

Ndidi was among the initial 25-man squad with Ebuehi grouped with players on standby.

However, injury for the Leicester City midfielder in the Foxes’ 4-2 triumph over Burnley ruled him out of the encounter meant to prepare the Super Eagles for their 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sierra Leone in November.

“Tyronne will replace Ndidi in our team from the standby,” Rohr told ESPNyesterday.

While disclosing the decision to pick the 24-year-old, the German tactician said his team would miss the midfield trojan, who is expected to be out of action between six to 12 weeks, having undergone surgery on his abductor injury.

“We will miss him so much,” he continued.

“I have spoken to him, of course. He must be patient now and take his time to get well.”

Ebuehi last featured for the three-time African champions against Iceland during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia – replacing Brian Idowu at the beginning of the second-half.

Since then, he had ruptured his cruciate knee ligaments which prevented him from playing a competitive game for Rohr’s team.

The 24-year-old has now recovered from the injury problem and subsequently returned to the Netherlands, where he was born, joining Twente this summer on a season-long loan from Benfica.

“It’s been a long period out and a hard time for me. Of course, questions like ‘could this be the end?’ can pop up from time to time,” he told BBC Sport.

“You sometimes hear that with this type of major injuries players never return to the same level they were before the injury.

“It was difficult in the beginning I can’t lie about that. To be away from the only country you have ever known, where you’re born and away from your family and

friends. You feel alone knowing it was just no longer possible for them to just pass by.

“It’s changed me a lot. Not only as a player but as a person.

Away in another country being alone. Sometimes it’s like unseen tears of frustration because of the mental pain.

“Like I always tell my family and friends now, that I’m thankful to God for this type of hard lessons sometimes in life.

“It really made me aware of a lot of things, like how to take care of my body now. How things can happen in football, how to deal with them. I’m

thankful for the lessons that God gave me.

“Going forward in my career, I know how to take care of myself and what’s good for me, how to handle any future injuries, hopefully, it will not happen.

“I missed the entire 2018/19

season because of this difficult injury, but I’m happy that I’m fit now and I’m thankful that I am able to play the game that I love again.”

Super Eagles will take on Algeria on October 9 in Austria before facing Tunisia at the same venue four days later.

Tyronne Ebuehi (right) has been selected to replace injured Wilfred Ndidi for this month’s friendlies with Algeria and Tunisia

Ahmed Musa Missing as Al Nassr Cruise to S’final Paulo Costa Seeks Revenge against ‘Boastful’ Israel Adesanya of Champions League Super Eagles Captain, Ahmed Musa, was conspicuously absent as his Saudi Arabian club, Al Nassr cruised to the semifinal of the AFC Champions League yesterday.

Al Nassr edged past Al Ahli SC 2-0 with their new star signing Gonzalo Martinez, who cost 16 million Euros last month and widely believed to be a replacement for the Nigeria star, grabbing one of the goals.

Ahmed Musa was also not listed in the quarterfinal at the

weekend.

The former Leicester City’s forward joined the Riyadh club soon after his heroics at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

In his first season he helped Al Nassr to win the Saudi league championship at the expense of rivals Al Hilal.

However, this season Al Hilal regained the championship while Ahmed Musa struggled to impress after he was sidelined for several weeks with injury.

F I FA M I N I - S TA D I U M P R O J E C T

UFC fighter, Paulo Costa ,has slammed rival Israel Adesanya after he appeared to ‘hump’ his stricken opponent just seconds before the end of their fight.

With the referee moving in to end the bout, Adesanya added insult to injury by pretending to have sex with Costa before moving away to celebrate the victory.

The humiliating moment has caused fury in Costa’s camp and the fighter took to Instagram to insist on a rematch so he could exert his revenge. “ Adesanya is human trash,’

Costa wrote on Instagram. “This has become a grave situation! I saw his disgusting action after fight and I will not stop until I have my revenge. @danawhite make this rematch happen.

“It turned into a matter of honour and I want the rematch immediately. Let’s sort it out as it should be, life or death, 100% prepared. Dana White let’s go.’

Adesanya also launched into a bizarre x-rated rant as he celebrated. “I wrap my d*** around my waist it’s a black belt, motherf*****’ he said, in reference to the white belt

thrown in his direction by Costa in the build-up to the title bout.

The champion then made his way to Costa’s corner to chat with his trainers. The conversation appeared cordial, until Adesanya said ‘Imma c** all over you.”

It is as yet unclear whether another fight between the pair will take place, although given White’s immediate reaction to the bout it seems unlikely.

Costa was unbeaten going into the fight, but White said afterwards: “So much for

“Fight of the Year” – it was “Domination of the Year”.

“It was weird because if you look at every other fight that Costa has had, he comes out and goes after people like they owe him money.

“I think he landed one jab in this fight. He didn’t try to clinch on the fence, didn’t try to put pressure, kept going back to the centre of the octagon. It was very weird.”

Adesanya is now expected to move on to a fresh challenge from Jared Cannonier or another bout with Robert Whittaker.

Pinnick: Monimichelle F R E N C H O P E N Withdraws as Nadal Hits Next Round Got FIFA Mini-stadium Serena Three-time champion Serena moves into the third round Williams has withdrawn from of the French Open for only the French Open because of an Project on Merit the third time in her career Achilles injury. and will play either 32nd seed President of the nation’s soccer Makurdi, Aba, Yenagoa are governing body, NFF, Amaju Melvin Pinnick has declared that Monimichelle Ltd got the job to construct the Ugborodo mini-stadium project being financed by FIFA purely on merit.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony held in the riverine community on Tuesday, Pinnick said Ebi Egbe, the CEO of Monimichelle Ltd is a “son of the soil” who got the job purely on merit, even as he added that he is confident the Bayelsa-born stadium construction expert would deliver on his promise.

In Pinnick’s words:”Ebi Egbe is a son of the soil we are proud of what he is doing.

His job in places like Katsina,

there for everybody to see.

He is doing well and he bidded and got this mini stadium job purely on merit and hard-work. I am sure he would deliver a world class edifice.”

Amaju pleaded with the youths of the community to cooperate with Monimichelle to ensure the project is delivered in six months in line with FIFA’s timeline.

“We want to use this project to correct the wrong notion that the Niger Delta is a volatile and restive area.

We urge you to give the contractor all the support in order for him to do a good job. FIFA will monitor and ensure every detail is taken care of,” Amaju said.

The 39-year-old had been scheduled to play her second-round match against Bulgaria’s Tsvetana Pironkova on Wednesday.

The American has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles and was aiming to equal Margaret Court’s all-time record of 24.

“I think I need four to six weeks of sitting and doing nothing,” Williams told a news conference.

“I have been struggling to walk so that’s a telltale sign that I should try to recover.

“Achilles is an injury you don’t want to play with - I think it was one of the worst, don’t want to get to that point, I want it to get better.”

Williams picked up the Achilles problem during her US Open semi-final defeat by Victoria

Serena Williams has pulled out of the ongoing French Opens

Azarenka earlier this month, On Monday, she beat fellow American Kristie Ahn 7-6 (7-2) 6-0 in the first round at Roland Garros, but said she was struggling physically.

“In the second set I felt I needed to walk with a limp,” Williams added. “I had to focus on walking straight so I wasn’t limping. I tried and always give

100%, I take solace in that.

“I’m not sure I will play another tournament this year.

It is not an acute injury, it is a nagging injury. I ran into bad timing and bad luck really.”

Williams won the French Open in 2002, 2013 and 2015 and is currently ranked ninth in the world.

Unseeded Pironkova, 33,

Barbora Strycova or Barbora Krejcikova from the Czech Republic.

Meanwhile, 12-timechampion Rafael Nadal eased into round three of the competition by thrashing American Mackenzie McDonald.

The Spanish second seed, 34, dropped only four games in a 6-1 6-0 6-3 win.

Nineteen-time Grand Slam winner Nadal has only lost two French Open matches since 2005 and is aiming to lift the trophy for the fourth year in a row.

“The aim was to play as well as possible,” said Nadal, who will play either Kei Nishikori of Japan or Italy’s Stefano Travaglia next.

“I’m very happy and I have another difficult match next.

87

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

ThursdaySPORTS

Remembering Nigeria’s Sports Heroes and Heroines As Nigeria marks her 60th anniversary today, DURO IKHAZUAGBE takes a journey down memory lane on some of the great sporting landmarks recorded since independence in 1960 As Nigerians mark 60 years independence of the country today, it is also time for those in the sports sector to do a reality check of how our past and present sportsmen and women have also fared. Three scores in the life of an independent nation is enough to have produced heroes and heroines in the various sectors, including sports, since 1960 when the British Union Jack was lowered for our green-white-green flag.

Sports like football, track and field, boxing, special sport, wrestling, table tennis, tennis, basketball, weightlifting, volleyball, handball, taekwondo, judo and a host of others who have produced men and women who have brought glories to this country whether at continental or global stage.

For the older generation Nigerians, boxing and not football was the sport that first brought global honour to the country barely three years old as a nation.

Dick Tiger Ihetu fought America’s Gene Fulmer and won the World Middleweight boxing title. That fight held at the Liberty Stadium, Ibadan. Dick Tiger’s feat was a follow-up to the pre-Independence achievement of Hogan ‘Kid’ Bassey who won the World Featherweight Boxing Championship fight in Liverpool in 1957. Nojeem Maiyegun won Nigeria’s first Summer Games bronze medal in the Light Middleweight category at the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, while Isaac Ikhuoria followed up with a bronze in the 1972 Games in Munich, Western Germany.

Between those early days and when Davidson Andeh won the world amateur lightweight boxing title against a Russian and Peter Konyegwachi also picked a silver medal in the featherweight category of the Los Angeles Games in 1984, Nigerian boxers dominated the continent’s All Africa Games and were to reckoned with at the Commonwealth Games. Boxing, indeed, as a sport, lifted the country’s name as an emerging power in the sweet science.

In other sports like Track and Field, Nigeria’s real first Olympic Games medal was achieved at the 1984 Games in Los Angeles when Innocent Egbunike ran a blistering anchor leg of the 4x400m to win the bronze behind USA and silver medalists Britain. Before then, medals of several colours have been achieved at both the All Africa Games and the Commonwealth Games.

However, Nigeria’s iconic moment in athletics came at the 1996 Games in Atlanta when Chioma Ajunwa did the unimaginable, winning the Women’s Long Jump event gold with 7:12m record ahead a field of tested world champions. Falilat Ogunkoya won an individual bronze medal in the 400m behind French woman, Marie Jose Perec and Cathy Freeman of Australia.

Four years earlier at Barcelona ‘92, Nigeria’s 4x100m men quartet gave the world jitters, winning the silver medal behind Team USA in an African record. The Mary Onyali-led women’s sprint relay also won the bronze and the manner in which they celebrated that feat remains one of the highlights of that edition in Spain and is well captured in images in the Olympic museum.

It was however not until the Sydney 2000 Games in Australia that Nigeria’s 4x400m anchored by Enefiok Udo-Obong ran the race of their lives to win the silver medal that was later elevated to gold. The Team USA 4x400m relay quartet anchored by Michael Johnson was disqualified after Antonio Pettigrew was found to have failed dope test. Although he didn’t race in the final, running in the semi final was enough to take the gold from the Americans and given to the team led by the late Sunday Bada, Clement Chukwu, Enefiok Udo-Obong, Jude Monye and Fidelis Tafida Gadzama.

Of course, Glory Alozie also won a silver in the 100m hurdles at the same Sydney 2000. The Athens (2004) and Beijing (2008) version contributed medals to Nigeria’s total haul. Blessing Okagbare, who has remained the country’s biggest name in the sport in

Nigeria’s U-23 Dream Team celebrating winning the Olympic Games Men’s Football gold at Atlanta 24 years ago

the last 12 years, emerged at the Beijing Olympics. After the trip to the quadrennial Games in the Far East, medals have dried up for Nigeria to date despite two outings in London (2012) and Rio 2016.

In football, the ‘king’ of sport, Nigeria has recorded a few global firsts.

In cadet U17, Nigeria remains the undisputed champions in five editions, starting with the inaugural edition in China in 1985. Golden Eaglets have repeated the feat in 1993, 2007, 2013 and 2015.

With three AFCON titles in 1980, 1994 and 2013, the senior national team, the Super Eagles, have earned respect in the continent. They have also made decent outings at the Mundial since their debut at USA ‘94. Although the team’s best performance remain a second round showings.

Emerging as the first African nation to win the Olympic men’s football at Atlanta ‘96, perhaps, remains the biggest honour for Nigeria in the beautiful game.

Dream Team, as Nwankwo Kanu-led squad was called, earned a place amongst the greatest moments in Nigerian sports history.

Glittering on a giant wall inside the Atlanta Olympic Stadium, embossed in gold letters, are the names of 22 Nigerian football players who put up some of the most spectacular and most entertaining football displays of any modern Olympics in history. They played against two of the strongest teams in the world at the time: Argentina and Brazil, and came out victorious in grandest style.

The players who made the feat possible included; Victor Nosa Ikpeba, Sunday Oliseh, Mobi Oparaku, Tijani Babangida, Daniel Amokachi, Emmanuel Amuneke, Austin Jay Jay Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, Celestine Babayaro, Emmanuel Babayaro, Dosu Joseph etc.

Our women’s senior team have also dominated the continent and made appearances at the World Cup since the first edition in China in 1991.

Despite these many achievements, what then went wrong in the last decade that it has become almost impossible to replicate those feats of Nigeria’s golden moments?

According to Chief Segun Odegbami, a former Green Eagles star, unfortunate circumstances subsumed the National Sports Commission (NSC) that was developing sports from the early 1970s and doing a great job into the Ministry of Information, Youth and Sports, around 1991 or 1992.

That was the era of Isaac Akioye as Director of Sports at the commission.

Chioma Ajunwa... airborne for the Women’s Long Jump gold at Atlanta Games

“The offices of the Director of Sports of the NSC (a field technician) with that of the Director of Sports in the ministry (a civil servant) became one.

“The beneficiary of the merger and new office, an academician, newly engaged by the ministry without any previous experience or grounding in the original vision of the trajectory of sports development in the NSC, was also given the responsibility to run the most powerful and complex sports association in Nigeria, the NFA. He was made the sole administrator,” recalled the cerebral former Nigerian footballer.

In Odegbami’s conclusion, that error made by merging the NSC’s Director of Sports with that of the ministry, “became a tipping and turning point for Nigerian sports development. Needless to go into the details, but the resultant effect is that sport, in all ramifications, lost its original

direction and has not recovered ever since”.

Although the current Sports Minister, Sunday Dare, is making progress with getting the infrastructure back to life through his “Adopt an Athlete” and “Adopt a Facility” to renovate projects, the fear in sports circle in the country is that the rate of turnover of leadership (ministers) in that sector may not allow him carry out a comprehensive reform that may lead the country out of the woods.

He certainly needs commendation for the move to honour men and women who have contributed to the growth of the sector as we celebrate the country’s 60 independent anniversary today.

That ceremony to honour Nigeria’s heroes and heroines scheduled for today has however been moved to Friday, October 16. It certainly is one way to tell the past sportsmen and women that their labour for the country were not in vain.

Thursday, October 1, 2020

TR

UT H

& RE A S O

N

Price: N250

MISSILE Ayo Fayose to Bode George “I am Ayodele Fayose, you can quote me anywhere. I said, you must retire Bode George if you want progress in the PDP in Lagos. As an elder, he is supposed to stay at home and be giving blessing to his children aspiring to grow not to be contesting positions with them� – Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose on why the former People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Deputy National Chairman should stop seeking political positions.

OLUSEGUNADENIYI THE VERDICT

olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

Nigeria and the Class of ‘60 1

960 was deemed ‘The Year of Africa’ because 17 countries on the continent secured their independence that year.

Nigeria was among them. Outside Africa, the only other country to gain independence that year was Cyprus. As we mark our diamond anniversary, I am sure much will be written and said about Nigeria today. I can also wager that most of what we will hear and read will be lamentations, including from those whose actions and/or inactions helped to put the country where it is. But to reflect on how far we have come as a nation, I want to take a panoramic look at those other 17 countries that secured their independence in 1960.

Let’s begin from neighbouring Niger Republic. This largest country in West Africa (by land mass) has experienced a series of military regimes. Ranked 189th out of 189 countries in both the 2018 and 2019 reports of the United Nations’ Human Development Index (HDI), Niger Republic has a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita of $413.98—easily one of the poorest countries in the world.

Another ‘classmate’, the Central African Republic (CAR), has been fighting a civil war since 2012. It has also been led by a succession of despots, including Emperor Jean-Bedel Bokassa who came to power through a coup d’etat on 1st January 1966 and ruled (as well as reigned) for 33 years until he fled the country in 1979, following national uproar over the beating to death of more than a hundred school children in which he directly participated. Despite abundant deposits of natural and mineral resources, including crude oil, uranium, gold, diamonds and cobalt as well as hydropower and fertile lands, CAR is second from the rear (188th out of 189 countries) in the 2019 HDI, bettering only Niger Republic, and classified as the worst country in which to be young—with a GDP per capita of $475.72.

Also in the class of 1960 is Somalia, Africa’s most culturally homogeneous country that has been ruined by a combination of military regimes, prolonged drought, civil war and insurgencies led by self-serving war lords.

With a GDP per capita of $225 and collapse of state institutions, Somalia has earned its title of “Africa’s most-failed stateâ€? from The Economist magazine. Togo of course is practically owned by one family and its miserable $679.26 GDP per capita explains why the country is ranked 167th out of 189 in HDI. Seven years after independence, Gnassingbe Eyadema staged a coup d’Êtat and ruled for 26 years as military leader. He then followed with a dubious transition to multi-party democracy in 1993 and ‘won’ three presidential elections in succession until his death in 2005 after 38 years in power. His son, Faure Gnassingbe, succeeded him and remains in office today.

The story of the former Republic of Upper Volta, now Burkina Faso, is also a tumultuous one of coups and countercoups. First president Maurice Yameogo was ousted in a 1966 coup d’etat by Sangoule Lamizana who was also deposed in another 1980 coup d’etat by Saye Zerbo. In 1982, Zerbo was overthrown by Jean-Baptiste Ouedraogo, also later toppled

by Thomas Sankara who was then killed by his close friend, Blaise Compaore, in yet another palace coup. Compaore spent 29

Buhari years in power before he fled the country following a popular uprising in 2014. These disruptions have only added to the plight of the country ranked 182nd out of 189 in the 2018 HDI with a GDP per capita of $715.12.

Cameroon was first in the class of 1960 to gain independence (1st January) but with a GDP per capita of $1533.74 and ranking of 150 out of 189 countries in HDI, it cannot be said to be doing well. President since 1982 (after being prime minister in the previous seven years), everything in the country revolves around Paul Biya who rarely makes public appearance these days due to his declining health. With such natural features as mountains, beaches and savannahs, Cameroon is one of the African countries that has failed to harness its potential.

That the Republic of the Congo or CongoBrazzaville, as it is also called, is ranked low in the human development category (176th out of 189 countries and a GDP per capita of $2,147.22) is a huge shame. Small

in population (5.2 million) but rich in oil (fourth largest producer in Gulf of Guinea), the vast resources are concentrated within the family of President Denis Sassou Nguesso, who first came to power in 1979 and has ruled the country for 36 of the past 41 years.

Despite a vast expanse of unused arable land and untapped substantial mineral resources, “maternal and infant mortality rates remain high...chronic malnutrition affects 21% of children� in Congo, according to the World Bank.

The history of Chad has been one of power squabbles, civil wars and insurgencies. But ever since he seized power in a military coup 30 years ago, Idriss Derby (a General turned president) has ruled the country with an iron fist, just like his predecessor, Hissene Habre, who was in 2016 found guilty of sundry human-rights abuses, including ordering the killing of 40,000 people. Chad is among the eight countries whose nationals are restricted from entry into the United States by President Donald Trump and is ranked 187th out of 189 countries in the UN HDI with a GDP per capita of $861.25.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), formerly known as Zaire, was born in a crisis that pitched Western powers against the old Soviet Union. That eventually culminated in the November 1965 military coup that brought to power Joseph-Desire Mobutu, who renamed himself Mobutu Sese Seko Kuku Ngbendu Wa Za Banga (The all-powerful warrior who, because of his endurance and inflexible will to win, goes from conquest to conquest, leaving fire in his wake). Reputed as one of the most corrupt and brutal African dictators of the last century, Mobutu was overthrown after 32 years in power by Laurent-Desire Kabila whose ascension marked the beginning of another Congo war which resulted in the deaths of more than a million people. Assassinated by one of his bodyguards in January 2001, Kabila was succeeded by his son, Joseph who was essentially forced out of power last year after 18 years. Ranked 179th out of 189 countries in HDI and with a GDP per capita of $500.55,

the DRC remains a very poor country.

Cote D’Ivoire was ruled from independence in 1960 by Houphouet Boigny who died in December 1993 after 33 years in office.

He was succeeded by his deputy, Henri Konan Bedie. Six years later, in December 1999, Bedie was toppled by General Robert Guei, a former army commander he had sacked. In the political transition in which he was a candidate, Guei was defeated by Laurent Gbagbo but refused to concede. He was forced out by public protest. Two years later, a civil war broke out in the country.

In 2010, after two terms in office, Gbagbo was defeated by Alassane Quatarra but he (Gbagbo) also refused to accept the results.

That led to another crisis that ended only with his capture along with his wife inside the presidential palace. After ten years (two terms) in office, Ouattara, who in March told his country that he would not be seeking an extra-constitutional third term has recanted.

In a national broadcast last month, Quattara said he had “decided to respond favourably to the call of my fellow citizens,� to run again. “Given my previous promise, this decision represents a real sacrifice for me,� he claimed!

Standing 170th position out of 189 countries in HDI and GDP per capita of $1715.53, Cote D’Ivoire is another sad story of what might have been.

El Hadj Omar Bongo Ondimba was just 24 when Gabon gained independence in 1960 but by a stroke of fortune he became president seven years later and held power for 42 years until his death in 2009. His son, Ali Bongo was elected to succeed him and has been in power ever since. Rich in natural resources such as diamonds, gold, petroleum, natural gas, niobium, cement, phosphate rock, manganese, uranium, and iron ore, Gabon has a GDP per capita of $7,952.53 and is ranked 115th out of 189 countries in HDI. But that doesn’t tell the complete story of a country whose wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few. r/05& 5IJT QJFDF JT DPODMVEFE PO QBHF

Still on ‘The Shadow Pandemic’

Following controversy generated over the content of a blurb, I withdrew all the copies of my latest book, ‘NAKED ABUSE: Sex for Grades in African Universities’ from circulation with a pledge to give them out free. I have fulfilled that promise. Aside the copies given to individuals and youth groups, here are the institutions that received free copies: Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife (300), University of Ilorin (150), BAZE University, Abuja (150), University of Lagos (150), Lagos State University, LASU (100), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (100), University of Jos (100), University of Nigeria, Nsukka (150), University of Maiduguri (100), Federal University of Technology, Minna (100), University of Calabar (150), Edo University, Iyhamo (100), University of Abuja (100) and University of Ibadan (150). NGOs and development agencies that have also been availed free copies include Gender Mobile Initiative (400), Youth Hub Africa (100), Save the Children

(100), ActionAid (100), CDD (100), PLAN International (100), UNICEF (100), Enough is Enough (150), Women Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA) (100), Women Aid Collective, WACOL (100), Women Inspiration Development Centre (50), CEDARSEED, (50) and the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre (100).

Meanwhile, the new edition of the book features seven fresh chapters from the Webinar hosted by the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife on ‘Finding safe spaces for female students in Nigerian universities’. This edition particularly captures the interventions

by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege, the 14th Emir of Kano, HRH Muhammadu Sanusi II, First Lady of Ekiti State, Erelu Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, WRAPA Secretary General, Hajiya Saudatu Mahdi and Director, West Africa Office, Ford Foundation, Mr Innocent Chukwuma. Other interventions

in the book include those by President of the Queens College, Lagos Alumni and former Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Chairperson, Mrs Ifueko Omoigui Okauru, former Head of Service of the Federation, Mr Steve Oronsaye and that

by Prof. Joy Ezeilo of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Views canvassed by Lagos lawyer, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN as well as by Dr Okey Ikechukwu, Ms Ebunoluwa Adejuyigbe and the Special Adviser to Ekiti State Governor on Basic Education, Prof. Francisca Aladejano are also reflected. The Webinar presentation by the OAU Vice Chancellor, Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede, represented an attempt to find a ‘vaccine’ for what the United Nations has described as a ‘Shadow Pandemic’ (of sexual violence against women) and sums up the conversation.

*OUFSFTUFE SFBEFST DBO CPPL UIFJS DPQJFT PO "NB[PO DPN

Printed and Published in Lagos by THISDAY Newspapers Limited. Lagos: 35 Creek Road, Apapa, Lagos. Abuja: Plot 1, Sector Centre B, Jabi Business District, Solomon Lar Way, Jabi North East, Abuja .

All Correspondence to POBox 54749, Ikoyi, Lagos. EMAIL: editor@thisdaylive.com, info@thisdaylive.com. TELEPHONE Lagos: 0802 2924721-2, 08022924485. Abuja: Tel: 08155555292, 08155555929 24/7 ADVERTISING HOT LINES: 0811 181 3085, 0811 181 3086, 0811 181 3087, 0811 181 3088, 0811 181 3089, 0811 181 3090. ENQUIRIES & BOOKING: adsbooking@thisdaylive.com